New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-16
TGENERA1 NATUaT-No. 80. I


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 ofe
| ficer who has served ID 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 the SER
/ vice of the United States by virtue of the
third section of an act entitled IAN act
making appropriations for completing the
defenses Of Washington, and for other pur-
poses,p 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 rebellion, for
ninety days, and who was honora1ly dis
charged, and has remained loyal 70 the gov
eminent, 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 amendatOry thereOts
as hereinafter modified, be entitled to enter
upon aud receive patents for quantity Of
public lands mot minerall not exceeding
one hundred and sixty acres or one quarter
cording TO legal subdivisions. including
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 i'm
proYement; 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 dutYs
then the term of enlistment shall be de-
Quoted from the time heretofore required to
perfect title, without reference to the length
of time he may have served provided
however, that no patent shall issue TO any
homestead settler who has not resided upon,
improved, and cultivated bis 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 unde1
the provisions of the foregoing section to
enter homestead who 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
acres.
SEC. 3. That in case Of the death Of any
person who would be entitled t0 a Homestead
under the provisions Of the iirst section Of
this act his widow, if unmarried or 70 case
Of her death or marriage, then his minor
orphan children, by guardian duly ap-
pointed and officially accredited at the De-
partment of the Interior, shall be entitled
10 all the benefits enumerated IN this act,
subject to all tire provisions as t0settle-
ment and improve snts therein eontainedi
provided, that II such person died during
bis tefmof enlistment, the whole term Of his
enlistment shall be deducted from tho time
heretofore required ~ perfect the title.
SIC. a. That where a party at the date Of
his entry Of a tract Of land under Che home
stead laws, or subsequently thereto, was
actually enlisted aud employed ia the army
or navy Of the United States sg services
therein SHALL, In the administfauon Of said
homestead law, be construed to be equiva-
lent, to all intents and purposes, to a rest
denee 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 Ia the military or
naval service Of the United States, and
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 bis right to patent
therefor shall be determined by the proofs
touching his residence and cultivation Of
the fret tract, and his absence therefrOmin
such service.
SIC. g That ang soldier, sailor, marine.
officer, or other person coming within tho
! 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 ehall, within the time prescribed com
meHce settlements and improvements on
the same, and thereafter fulfill all the re-
Quirements Of this act.
SEC. g. That the Commissioners Of the
| General Land Office shall have authority 70
make all needfuI rules and regulations to
1 carry into effect the provisions Of this act.
| Approved April 4, 1872