Syndicated from the New York Time By Hardy Kenwright
In a new and despicable departure by the American Rebels, known as Confederates, mounted raiders stole their way to Stafford Courthouse, Virginia on a daring but piratical mission to kidnap representatives of the Union press.
Using the cover of an attack on the Military in the area, their real aim appears to be to silence the free Press of this Union and ensure that the world is kept in darkness of the real abominable character of their regime.
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| The despicable Confederate Raid on Stafford Courthouse |
Awakened in the early hours of 22nd February by the commotion outside and alerted by the breaking of the front door below, I made a lucky escape to the roof via the sash window in my bedroom and a fortuitously close growing tree. My long-time friend and close colleague, Hugh R. Lying, sleeping on the ground floor was not so fortunate and despite being an upright civilian and member of the Press was seized and bundled out of the house.
Times readers may remember Mr Hugh R. Lying from the sports pages of this august journal a few years ago, before he departed to the new world to cover the new American sport of Baseball.
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| The missing: Hugh R. Lying |
Hardy Kenwright continued, "From my vantage point up high I witnessed poor Hugh being hooded and thrown roughly into the back of a wagon. Being a loyal and true friend, Hugh gave no hint to his captors that I was also in the building, so it is only by his personal sacrifice that I remain free to tell of this outrage".
My noble assistant, Hugh R. Lying, is a long time pillar of this discerning and illustrious broadsheet and a true believer and servant of those ideals of freedom of expression, fought for and sanctified within the Constitution of these United States, further reinforced by the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendments to it.
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| Typical Rebel Ruffian: Colonel Jack D. Ripper |
I must point out that, although the Constitution adopted by the Rebel States on 11th March 1861,
differs from ours in parts of its main text, all Amendments I through VIII have been copied word for word from our originals.
differs from ours in parts of its main text, all Amendments I through VIII have been copied word for word from our originals.
Thus, the pretence of legality and honour put forward by this rebel confederation of cut-throats, bandits and slavers has proven to be a fig leaf of cover to their true tyrannical intentions.
When asked for comment, representatives of Her Majesty's Government are reported to say "We take a serious view of this lawless activity, it will be considered as part of our whole response to the emergence of this currently unrecognised State".
