New Orleans Republican., 1872-07-19
GENERAL NAruRE-No. 39.l

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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
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 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, OF in the
marine corps, during the rebellioa, for
ninety days, and who was hon0rably dis
charged, and has remained loyal to the gov
ernment 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 amendat0ry 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 ac-
cording to legal subdivisions, including
the alternate reserved sections of public
lands along the line of any rsilrOad
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 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 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
tity of land less than one hundred and sixty
acres shall be permitted 70 enter under the
provisions Of this act so much land as, when
added 10 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 10 . homestead
under the provisions Of the first section Of
this act his widow, if unmarried, or in case
of her death or marriage then bis minor
orphan children, by guardian duly ap-
p0iuted and officially accredited at the De-
4f fta Interior nHa11 hn
to.ali the benefits enumerated in this act,
subject to all the provisions as to settle
ment and imprOyeTL snts 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 70 perfect the title
SEC. 4. That where party at the date Of
his entry Of 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. sss services
therein shall, in the administration Of said
homestead law, be construed to be eduiva-
lent, to all intents and purposes. to a resi-
dence for the same length Of time upon the
tract so entered; provided, that If bis 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
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 sof
/ the first tract, and his absence therefrOm in
| such service.
| SEC. 5. 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-
/ guiremeuts Of this act.
SEC. 6. That the Commissioner Of the
/ General land Office shall have authority 70
/ make all reedful rules and regulations to
carry into effect the provisions Of this act
| ADprOved AprjI 4 1872