Year: 1872

BE it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States Of
America in Congress 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 honorably discharged and has
remained loyal to the Government, including
the troops mustered into the service of the
United States by virtue of the third section
of an act entitled an act making appropria-
tions for completing the defences of Washing
ton, and for other purposes, approved Febru-
ary 18th, 1862; 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 discharged, and has
remained loyal to the Government, shall, on
compliance with the provisions of an act
entitled an act to secure homesteads to
sctual settlers on the public domain, and the
acts aE.endatory thereof. as hereinafter modi-
fed, for quantity of public land mot min
eral) not exceeding one hundred and sixty
acres, or one quarter section, to be taken
in compact form according to legal subdivis-
ions, including the alternate reserved sections
of public lands along the line of any railroad
or other public work not otherwise reserved
or appropriated, and other lands subject to
entry under the homestead laws of the
United States; provided, that said home
stead settler shall be allowed six months
after locating his homestead within which to
commence his settlement and improvement;
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 deducted from the time heretofore
required to perfect title, without reference to
the length of time he may have served;
provided that no patent shall be issued to
any homestead settler who has not resided
upon, improved or cultivated his homestead
for period of at least one year after he
shall commence his improvements as afore-
said.


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 quantity
of land less than one hundred and sixty acres,
shall be permitted to enter under the provis-
ions of this act so much land as, 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 to homestead
under the provisions of the first section of
this act, his widow, if unmarried, or in case
of her death Or marriage, then his minor
children, by guardian duly appointed and
officially accredited at the Department Of the
Interior, shall be entitled to all the benefits
enumerated in this act, subject to all tho
provisions as to settlement and Improvements
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 Iarty at the dale
of his entry of tract of land under the
homestead law, or subsequently thereto,
was actually enlisted and employed in the
army or navy of the United States, his SER
vice therein shall, in the administration of
said homestead laws, be construed to be
equivalent, to all intents and purposes, to a
residence for the same length of time upon
the tract so entered. Provided, That if his
entry has been Cancelled by reason of his alb
sence from said tract while in military or
naval service of the United States, and such
tract has not been disposed of, his entry
shall be restored and confirmed. And pro-
vded further, That if such tract has been,
disposed Of said party may enter another
tract subject to entry under such laws, and
his right to a patent therefor shall be deter
mined by the proofs touching bis residence
and cultivation of 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 the said claimant in
person shall, within the time prescribed,
commence settlement and improvements on
the same, and thereafter fill all the require
ments of this act.


SEC. 6. That the Commissioner of the
General Land Office shall have authority to
make all needful rules and regulations to
carry into effect the provisions of this act.