Robert W. Mecklin was a teacher who founded the Ozark Institute at Mt. Comfort.
Mecklin's remarkable diary gives us a rare look at the life of civilians during the Civil War.
Mecklin lived 3 miles NW of Fayetteville, Arkansas throughout the war.
He was a Confederate supporter.
The "Mecklin Letters" were published by the Washington County Historical Society in 1955.
Here is an excerpt from this publication:

4th Feb.,1864
"The business of killing men still goes bravely on.
Scarcely a day passes during which we do not hear of one or more bushwackers being killed or that some Federals have been killed by them.
Last week, the Federals made a raid out in the neighborhood of Cross Hollows, killing four men, one over 80 years of age, and brought in some prisoners.
During the last ten days they have brought in several prisoners, such, I understand, has have been giving aid and comfort the the Rebels.
Or rather, such as have been so reported by their Union neighbors.
On thursday, I sent a few sacks of wheat to the Elm Springs mill. A Federal scout was there and took one of my sacks of wheat.
I could not get my grinding done and fear that they will take all my wheat.
Things are growing more desperate in Northwest Arkansas."