New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
Soldiers HON estesasIs.

The Act Prov iding HONE e ads for sOsdte RS
as signed by the President.
The following important act, which became
law by signature of the President, has not
hitherto been published in full:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatires Of the United States of america ia
Congress assembled, That every private soldier
and officer who has served in the army of the
United States during the recent rebellion for
ninety days or more, and who was honorablv
discharged, and has remained loyal to the
Government, including the troops mustered
into the service of the United States by vir-
tue OF the third section of the act entitled
IAN act making appropriations for complet-
ing the defenses of Washington, and for
other purposes" approved February 10,
1867; and every seaman, marine, and officer,
who has served in the navy of the United
States, or in the Marine Corps during the re-
bellion for ninety days, and who was honor
ably discharged, and has remained loyal to
the Government, shall, on compliance with
an act entitled, "An act to secure hOmesteads
to actual settlers on the public domain" and
the acts amendatory thereof, as hereinafter
modified, be entitled to enter upon and re-
ceiye patents for a quantity of public lands,
mot minerai,) not exceeding 100 acres, or
one-quarter section, to be taken in compact
form according to local subdivisions, includ-
lands along the line Of any railroad or other
public work, not otherwise reserved or appro-
prlated, and other lands subject to entry I'M
der the Homestead laws of the United States
provided, that said homestead settler shall be
allowed six months, after locating his home
stead, within which to commence his settle
ment and improvement 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
deducted from the time heretofore required to
perfect title, without reference to the length
OF the time he may have served; provided,
however, that no patent shall issue to any
homestead settler who has not resided upon,
improved, and cultivated his said homestead
for period of at least one year after he shall
commence his improvements as aforesaid.
SEC. 2. That any person entitled under the
provisions OF the foregoing section to enter
homestead, who may have heretofore en-
tered under the Homestead laws quantity
OF land less than 100 acres, shall be permitted
to enter under the provisions of this act so
much land as, when added to the quantity
previously entered, shall not exceed 100
acres.
SEC. 3. That in the case of the death of
any person who would be entitled to home
stead under the provisions of the first section
Of this act, his widow, if unmarried, or, in
case of her death or marriage, then his minor
orphan children, by a guardian duly appointed
and officially accredited at the Department of
the Interior, shall be entitled to all the bene-
fits enumerated in this act, subject to all the
provisions as to settlement and improvements
therein contained; provided, that if such per-
son died during his term of enlistment the
whole term Of his enlistment shall be de-
Quoted from the time heretofore required to
perfect the title. ttf7 re
Sec. 4. That where party at the date of
his entry of a 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, his service
therein shall, in the administration of said
Homestead laws, be construed to be equiva-
lent, to all intents and purposes, to a resi-
dence for the same length of time upon the
tract so entered, provided that if his 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 fur
Their, that if such tract has been disposed of,
said party may enter another tract, subject to
entry under said laws, and his right to pat
ent therefor shall be determined by the
proofs touching his residence and cultivation
of the first tract, and his absence therefrom
in such service.
SEC. S. That any soldier, sailor, marine,
officer, or other person coming within the pro-
visions Of this act may, as we'll by an agent
as In person, enter upon said homestead
provided, that the said claimant in person
shall, within the time prescribed, commence
settlement and improvements on the same,
and thereafter fulfill all the requirements of
this act.
SEC. G.. That the Commissioner of the
General Land Office shall have authority to
make all needful rules and regulations to
carry into effect the provisions of this act
Advancing and Not Advancing.