New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-06-26
[GrNEPAL NArrRF--No. 3Q.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 Representative Of the United States
of America, in Congress assembled,
That every private soldier and Of
feer 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
GLIDING the troops mustered into the ser
vice of the United States by virtue Of the
third section of an act entitled can act
making appropriations for completing the
defenses of Washington, and for other pur-
poses" approved February thirteenth,
eighteen hundred 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, and has remained loyal to the gov
eminent, shall, on compliance with the pro-
visions Of an act entitled "An act to secure
hOmesteads to actual settlers on the public
domain, and the acts amendatory thereof,
"a 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 onequarter
section, to be taken in compact form ac-
cOrding 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
provement; and provided, also, that the
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 if
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 vino has not resided upon,
improved, and cultivated his said home
stead for q period Of at least one year after
he shall commence his improvements as
SEC. ?. That any person entitled under
the provisions Of the foregoing section TO
enter homestead who may have heretofore
entered under the homestead laws a guam
THY Of land less than one hundred and sixty
acres shall he permitted % enter under the
provisions of this act 20 much land as, 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 70 a homestead
under the provisions Of the tirst section Of
this act his widow, If unmarried, or IN case
Of her death or marriage then his minor
orphan children, by q guardian duly APP
pointed and officially accredited at the De-
Dartment Of the Interior. shall be entitled
to All the benefits enumerated in this act
subject TO all the provisions az 70 settle
neDt and improvements therein contained;
provided, that if such person died during
Gs term of enlistment, the whole term Of his
enlistment shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required TO perfect the title.
SEC A. That where a party at the date Of
rs entry Of tract OF land under the home
tead laws, or subsedueutly thereto, was
ctually enlisted and employed in the army
It navy Of the United States his services
herein shall, in the administration Of said
homestead law, be construed 10 be equiva-
ent, to all intents and purposes, 20 q resi-
ence for the same length Of time upon the
raet 20 entered; provided, that if his entry
las been Cancelled by reason Of bis absence
rom said tract while in the military or
laval service Of tie United States, and
UGH tract has not been disposed Of bis
ntry shall be restored and confirmed, and
,royided further. that if such tract has
een disposed Of, said party may enter
mother tract subject 70 entry under
aid laws; and his right to a patent
herefor shall be determined BIZ The proofs
ouching his residence and cultivation Of
he FIRST tract and his absence tberefrOmin
uch service.
SEC, 5. That any soldier, sailor, marine,
dicer, or other person coming within the
PROVISIONS Of this act may, as well by an
gent as in person, enter upon said home
tead provided, that said claimant in per-
on shall, within the time prescribed, COM
aence settlements and improvements on
be same, and thereafter fulfill all the re-
Of this act.
SEC. 6. That tho Commissioner Of the
ieneral Land Office shaIIhaye authority to
lake all needful rules and regulations to
AIRY into effect the provisions Of this act.
Approved April 4, 1872.