The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-27
GENERAL NArr.E-No. 3e.l

ltTESERAL NATCRE-NO. 80
An Acr TO enable honorably discharged soldier,
and sailors, their widows and orphan children
10 acquire homesteads on the public lands OF
the United States.
BE t enacted 1y The Senate aud House Of Repre-
sentdttreS Of the United States Of Aaericn In con.
gress 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 honoraby dis
charged and has remained loyal 10 the govern
ment, including the troops mustered into the
service Of the United States by virtue of the
thlrd section OF an act entitled San act making
appropriations for completing the defenses OF
Washington, and for other purposes" approved
Februa ry thirteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty.
Two, ana 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 honoTaby discharged,
and has remained loyal to the government shall
on compliance with the provisions of an
| act entitled IAN act to secure homestcads
ns 10 ae1nai settlers on the pnb,c. domain
| ana the acts amendatory thereof as here
matter modified bo entitled to enter upon
and receive patents fer q quantity of public
lands tnot mlneraD not exceeding one hundred
ana sixty acres, or one quarter-scction to be
taken III compact form according to legal subdi-
visions, including the alternate reserved sections
OF public lands along the line of any railroad or
other public work, not otherwise reserved or ap-
propriated, and other lands subject to entry un-
der the homestead laws of the United States:
Provided, That said homestead settler shall be
| allowed six months after locating his homestead
| within which 10 commence his settlement ana
| improvement: Ind 1f0piled also Thai the tm.
which the homestead settler shall have served
IN the army, navy, or marine corps aforesaid
shall be deducted from the time heretofore re.
CURED 10 perfect title, or if discharged on ac-
CONT OF wounds received, or disability incurred
in the line of duty, then the term of enlistment
shall be deducted from the time heretofore re
qulred TO perfect title, without reference the
length OF Time he may have served: Proei9td.
hopeeer, That no patent shall issue to any home.
stead settler who has not resided upon i'm
proved, and cultivated his said homestead for a
4 ut tlos,gt -. IL.
| mence his improvements as aforesaid.
seq That any person entitled under the
provisions OF the foregoing section to enter
| homestead, who may have heretofore entered
under the homestead laws a quantity of land
| less than one hundred and sky 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 one hundred
and sixty acres.
| Sgc. 5. That in case of the death Of any person
who would be entitled to a homes tead under tie
provisions of the first section of this act, his
widow, II unmarried, or in case of her death on
marriage, then his minor orphan children, by Il
guardian duly appointed and officially accredited
at the Department of the Interior, shall be en-
titled to all the benefits enumerated in this act
subject TO all the provisions to settlement and
improvements therein contained: Procidea, That
If such person died during his term of enlist
snent, 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 his
entry Of a tract of land under the homestead
lo VI tncTtlO, WAS ACTUALLY tns
listed and employed in the army or navy OF the
United States, his services therein shah, in the
administration of said homestead law, be
strued to be equivalent, to all ntents and pur-
poses, to residence for the same length of time
upon Tie tract go tered Prorided, That if his
entry hiss 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 bo restored
and confirmed: And pr0rided further, That il
| such tract has been disposed of, said party may
enter another tract subject to entry under said
laws; and his right to patent therefor shall be
deterInined by the proofs touching his residence
and cultivation of the first tract, and his absence
| therefronl in such service.
SEC. 5. That any soldier, sailor, marine, officer
| or other person coming within the provisions OF
this act, may, well by an agent as in person,
enter up IN said homestead: Pr0Uided, That said
claimant in person shall, within the time pre-
scribed, commencG settlements and improve
ments the same, and thereafter fulfill all the
requirements of this act.
SIC. 6. That the Comlnis: iopcr of the General
| Land Office shall have authority 10 make all
needtul rules and regulations to carry into effect
| the proyisi rs OF this act
Approved, April 4, 1872.