Not as of his court motion for a writ of habeas corpus. He was arrested without charges. That is why he went to Taney's court to get the charges stated.
Not as of his court motion for a writ of habeas corpus. He was arrested without charges. That is why he went to Taney's court to get the charges stated.
Merryman did commit treasonous acts. He was indicted for treason. He could easily have been tried and hanged for treason. But he was released instead.
This incident makes quite a contrast with the legal lynching of 40 loyal Texans, none of whom had committed any overt acts hostile to the rebellion at all.
Walt