The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-08-11
A NEW REPUBLIC.
A Queer Story.-Rebcl Deserters in
the SWamps.

The Natchez Miss. Courier of the
18th ult., gives an account aof curious
"Republic which was organized in
Jones County, Mississippi. year or SO
ago. 1t appears tina. numbers of rebel de-
serters having coDgregated in the swamps
of that county, determined to form gov
eminent for themselves. A rebel Colonel
Mowry, with considerable force was
sent to disband them, and it was suppos-
ed had succeeded, but it now appears that
the malcontents offered desperate resist
ance, dispensing the assailants, killing and
wounding and capturing considerable
proportion of them At last accounts,
the i" Republic was still in the enjoy
ment of health and strength, and deter
mined to resist to the death the encroach-
ments of the Confederacy. 1t is not
likely, however, that the " Republic J"
will long survive. The Confederates, un-
less speedily driven from Mississippi, will
absorb it, and if they do not, another au-
thority will.
A correspondent of the Courier gives
the following amusing account of recent
occurrences in this " Republic -
The Coufederacy, after claiming the
right of secession, not being willing to
extend the same to the said Republic, has
declared war against it, and sent an army
under Coloael Mowry, of Mobile, to
crush the rebellion. The Republic i'm
mediately prepared 10 act on the defen-
sive, raised an army under the command
of Major Robinson, Commander in Chief
of the armies of the Republic Of JONES'
The belligerents met; desperate battle
ensued, In which the armies of the new
Republic were victorious, having killed,
wounded and captured many of the Con-
federates; the remainder, under their gal
liant commander, ingloriously fed.
The following is copy of dispatch
sent by the Commander-in-C Chief of the
forces to his Honor, the Secretary of War
for the Republic Of Jones
Headquarters Forces of the Republic, !
In the Field, January 81, 1864.
To Hon. A.C. Williams, Secretary of
War:
SIR: We net the forces of the invader
on the evening of the Goth instant at
Cross Roads. After an engagement of
eight hours duration we broke his centre,
when he fled in confusion. On the field
we captured many prisoners and several
pieces of artillery. Our loss was very
slight.
Il have the honor to be respectfully.
R. ROBINSON
"After this hard fought battle an ar
mistice was made. Ministers were an
pointed to confer with the so-called Con.
federate States. Propositions for peace
were entered into but declined by the Con-
federate States. A cartel for the exchange
of prisoners was offered by the Republic,
which was also declined. All prospects
OF an anicable adjustment having ceased.
the ministers of the Republic returned to
their Capital fully convinced that the Re.
public had no alternative but to prepare
for war. Their Congress having met. :
lengthy debate took place, the questions
in debate: Propositions to form an ALI.
ance 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 at once declared that It
would De q useless expenditure OF time.
An Act was unanimously passed or
dering all persons, male and female. Who
denied the inalienable right Of secess;on
70 leave the Republic at once on ns;n ~
being punished ~ spies.
No provision having been made for
the exchange Of prisoners they we're M.
rolled. The following is true COW Of .
parole:
Headquarters Forces Of the Republic
February E. 1864.
81. Ben Johnson, do solsnaly swesr