I just read a New York Times article, dated July 31, 1864. Titled..."A New Republic A Queer Story- Rebel Deserters In The Swamps." They called it a "New Republic" as reported by the Natchez Courier dated July 12, 1864. The Times article was sarcastic with fake military dispatches and congressional acts from the "Republic", they treated the story as a joke.

stating...

"Propositions to form an alliance with the United States," which was opposed by Mr. Billing, on the ground that the position of the United States in regard to the question of secession had been clearly defined in her war with the so-called Confederate States.

Congress [of the Republic of Jones County] at once declared that it would be a useless expenditure of time. An act was unamiously passed ordering all persons, male and female, who denied the inallenable right of secession, to leave the republic at once on pain of being published as spies....[the article ends with]...To many this may seem highly wrought, but nevertheless, it is true."

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David Upton