Case Summary

James Pilcher enlisted in the U.S. Army as a musician. His mother, Delilia Pilcher, declared that he was a minor and petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus on his behalf, which was granted. After hearing the evidence, James was released.

Case Information

Petition type(s)

• Institutional

Petition subtype(s)

• Underage military enlistment

Sites of significance

• Jefferson Barracks (St. Louis, Missouri)

Outcome

Writ allowed

Fate of bound party

Released from custody

Case Citation

St. Louis Law Commissioners' Court, December Term 1855, No. 134

Source material(s)

Case File

Length of case file

5 or fewer pages

Repository(s)

• Missouri State Archives-St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri)

State

• Missouri

Tag(s)

• Children

People

• Pilcher, James (bound party)
• Pilcher, Delilia (petitioner)
• May, Charles (respondent)
• May, Charles (holding party)
• Lylie, C. H. (responding party)
• Lylie, C. H. (holding party)
• Colvin, John W. (judge)
• Gardner, Samuel H. (petitioner attorney)