New Orleans Republican., 1872-07-27
[GENERAL NArunE-No. 30. /


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. of the United States
! of America, in Congress assembled =,
| That every private soldier and of
! ticer 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 these
! vice of the United States by virtue of bhe
| 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, 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 hOnOTably dis
| charged and has remained loyal to the gov
| ernment, shall, on compliance with the pro-
visions of an act entitled IAN 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 receive patents for quantity of
public lands mot mineral) not exceeding
one hundred and sixty acres, or One-quarter
cOrdiEg to legal subdivisions, 'in6fuding
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
prOvemenG 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 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 tor a 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 a homestead who may have heretofore
entered under the homestead laws a guam
tty of land less than one hundred and sixty
acres shall be permitted to enter under the
provisions of this act 80 much land as, when
added to the quantity previously entered,
shall not exceed one hundred and sixty
aUres.
SEC. 3. That in case of the death of any
person who would be entitled to 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 minOp
orphan children, by guardian duly ap-
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
mpnt 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 10 perfect the title.
SEC 4. That where party 81 the date Of
b1s 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, services
therein shall; in the administrator of said
homestead law, be construed to be equiva-
lent. to all intents and purposes, to a resi-
danre for the same length Of time upon the
tracr 50 entered; provided, that if his entry
has been Cancelled by reason of bis 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
another 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. > That any soldier, sailor, marine,
officer or other person coming within tho
provisions If this act may, as well by an
agent az 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
duirements of this act.
SEC g. That the Commissioner Of the
General Land Office shall have author 10
make all needful rules and regulations -
carry into effect the provisions Of this act.
Approved April 1, 1872