New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-24
IGENERAL NATURE-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 Of
tcer 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 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," 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 hOnOrably dis
| charged and has remained loyal to the gov
| eminent, shall, on compliance with the pro-
! visions of an act entitled "AE act to secure
| homesteads to actual settlers on the public
| domain" and the acts amendatOry thereof,
| az hereinafter modified, be entitled TO enter
upon and receive patents for a 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 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; 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 homestead who may have heretofore
entered under the homestead laws guam
titv of land less than one hundred and sixty
acres shall be permitted to enter under the
provisions Of this act so much land az, when
added to the quantity previously onTered,
shall not exceed one hundred ana sixty
| acres
SEC g. That in case Of the death of any
person who would be entitled to homestead
under the provisions Of the first section Of
lis act his widow, if unmarried, or in case
of her death or marriage, then his minor
orphan children, by guardian duly ap-
pointed and officially accredited at thu DE
Dartmrnt Of the Interior, shall be entitled
10 ali the benefits enumerated in this act,
oil f.r. -
! mcnt and improve 3nts 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 to 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, ii services
therein shall, in the administrator Of said
homestead law, be construed to be equiva-
-lent, to all intents and purposes, to a resi-
dence for the same length Of time upon the
tract 20 entered; provided, that il 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
| an.ther 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 taerefromin
! such service.
! SEC. B. 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 tho re-
| quiremeHts of this act.
| SEC s. That the Commissioner Of the
General Land Office shall have authority TO
L make all needfHl rules and regulations to
| carry into effect the provisions of this act.
| Approved April (, 1872.