PROUDFIT, David Law, author, born in New-burg, New York, 27 October, 1842. He was educated in the common schools, and at fifteen years of age went to New York city to engage in business. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the 1st New York mounted rifles. In the following year he was appointed a 2d lieutenant in the 22d United States colored troops. His regiment accompanied General Butler in his advance up James river, and took part in various engagements, and at the close of the war he had attained the rank of major. Later he engaged in business, and a few years ago he became interested in pneumatic tubes, and he is now (1888) president of the Meteor despatch company of New York. His poems have been extensively used in public recitations. He has published in book-form "Love among the Gamins," poems (New York, 1877) and "Mask and Domino" (1888).