New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-20
GENERAL NArURE-No. 39.l

An act to enable honorably discharged
soldiers and sailors, their widows and
orphan children, to acquire hOmesteadS
on the public lands of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives 81 the United States
of. America, in Congress assembled,
That every private soldier and Of
tcer who has served in the army
of the United States during the
recent rebellion for ninety days, or more,
and who was honOrably discharged, and
has remained loyal to the government, in
Guiding the troops mustered into the SER
vice of the United States by virtue of the
third section of an act entitled IAN act
making appropriations for completing the
defenses Of Washington, and for other puF-
pOses,' approved February thirteenthss
eighteen'hundre and sixty-twO, and every
seaman, marine, and officer who has served
in the navy of the United States, or in the
marine corps, during the rebellion, for
ninety days, and who was hOnOrably dis
charged, aud has remained loyal to the gov
eminent, shall, on compliance with the pro-
visions Of an act entitled sac act to secure
hOmesteads to actual settlers on the public
domain and the acts amendatOry thereof
aB hereinafter modified, be entitled to enter
upon and receive patents for quantity OF
public lands mot mineral) not exceeding
one hundred and sixty acres, or One-quarter
section, to be taken in compact form &C
cOrdng to legal subdivisions, including
the alternate reserved sections Of public
lands along the line of any railrOad
or other public work, not otherwise re-
served or appropriated, and other lands
subject to entry under the homestead laws
of the United States; provided, that said
homestead settler shall be allowed SIX
months after locating his homestead within
which to commence his settlement and inn
Id atg FI,.t
time which the homestead settler shall have
served in the army, navy, or marine corps
aforesaid, shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required to perfect title, or it
discharged on account Of wounds received,
or disability incurred in the line Of duty,
then the term Of enlistment shall be de-
Quoted from the time heretofore required to
perfect title, without reference to the length
of time lie may have served provided,
however, that no patent shall issue to any
homestead settler who has not resided upon,
improved, and cultivated his said home
stead for a period of at least one year after
he shall commence his Improvements as
aforesaid.
SEC. =. That any person entitled under
the provisions Of the foregoing section TO
enter homes tead who may have heretofore
entered under the homestead laws a guam
tity of land less than one hundred and sixty
acres shall be permitted to enter under the
provisions Of this act so much land rs, when
added to the quantity previously entered,
shall not exceed one hundred and sixty
acres.
SEC. 3. That in case of the death Of any
person who would be entitled TO q homestead
under tie provisions of the first section Of
this act his widow, if unmarried, or in case
of her death or marriage, then his uinOT
orphan children, by guardian duly ap-
pointed and officially accredited at the De-
partmeut Of the Interior, shall be entitled
70 ali the benefits enumerated in this act,
subject to all the provisions as to settle
meut and improve 5nts therein contained;
provided, that if such person died during
his term of enlistment, the whole term Of his
enlistment shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required to perfect the title.
SEC. 4. That where party at the date Of
ms entry Of d tract Of land under the home
stead laws, or subsequently thereto, Was
actually enlisted and employed in the army
or navy Of the United States s- services
therein SHALL in the administration Of said
homestead law, be construed to be eguiva-
lent, to all intrnts and purposes, 10 a resi-
dcnce for the same length Of time upon the
tract 80 entered; provided, that if Lis entry
has been Cancelled by reason of his absence
from said tract while in the military or
naval Service Of the United States, and
such tract has not been disposed Of his
entry shall be restored and confirmed; and
provided further that if such tract has
been disposed Of, said party may enter
an ther tract subject 10 entry under
said laws; and his right to a patent
thclffur shall be determined by the proofs
touching his residence and cultivation of
the first tract and his absence tAerefrCU a
such service
SEC 5. That any soldier, sailor marine,
officer, or other person coming within the
provisions Of tnls act may, a5 well by an
agent as in person, enter upon said hone
sled5; provided, that said claimant IN .
son shall. within the time pIcscribed, eo .s-
meUce settlements and improvements .u
the same, and thereafter fulfill all The .-
quircuru.- Ok this act.
SEC o. That the Commissioner VI. r.s
Genera Land Office shall have author y %
make al Eeedfal rules and regulation -
carry into effect the provisions Of tbs act.
Approved April 1, 1872.