New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-10
[GnNERAL NAruRE-No. So


An aOn 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 of the United States
of America, in Congress assembled,
That every private soldier and Of
fcer 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 tho government, in
Guiding the troops mustered into the SER
vice Of the United Estates by virtue of the
third section of an act entitled "An 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, 8nd 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
ernment, shall, on compliance with the pro-
visions Of an act entitled San act to secure
hOmesteads to actual settlers on the public
| domain aud the acts amendatOFy thereof
as 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
eording to legal subdivisions, including
the alternate reserved sections of public
lands along the line of any r9ilrOad
or other public work. not otherwise re-
served or appropriated, and other lands
subject to entry under the homestead laws
of the United States; providedj 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 tho
time which the homestead settler shall have
served in thearmy, navy, or marine corps
aforesaid, shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required to perfect title, CT 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 be 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. 2, That any person entitled undeI
the provisions of the foregoing section to
enter homestead VINO may have heretofore
entered under the homestead laws guam.
tity of land less than one hundred and sixty
acres shall be permitted to enter under the
provisions of this act 80 much land az, when
added to the quantity previously entered,
shall not exceed one hundred and sixty
aures.
SEC. 3. That in case of the deatl1'Of any
person who would be entitled to homestead
under the provisions of the first section Of
this act his widow il unmarried, or in case
of her death OF marriage, then his minor
orphan children, by q guardian duly APP
pointed and officially accredited at the De-
partment Of the Interior, shall be entitled
to ali the benefits enumerated in this act,
subject to all the provisions as to settle
ment and improvements therein contained;
provided, that ii such person died during
mis- term Of enlistment, the whole term of his
enlistment shall be deducted from the timo
heretofore required TO perfect the title.
SEC. q. That where party at the date OF
his entry Of tract Of land under the home
stead laws, or subsequently thereto, vas
actually enlisted and employed in the army
or navy Of the United States 81 services
therein shall. in the administration Of said
homestead law, be construed to be equiva-
lent, 70 all intents and purposes, to a resi-
dence for the same length Of time upon tho
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 further, that if such tract has
been disposed Of, said party may enter
angther tract subject to entry under
said laws; and his right to a patent
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
provisions. Of this act may, as well by an
agent as IN person, enter upon said home
stead provided, that said claimant in per-
son SHALL within the time prescribed, COM
mence settlements and improvements on
the same, and thereafter fulfill all the re
quirements Of this act.
SEC. 6. That the Commissioner Of the
General Land Office shall have authority 10
make all needful rules and regulations to
carry into effect the provisions Of this act.
Approved April 4, 1872.