TRUMAN, Benjamin Cummings, author, born in Providence, Rhode Island, 25 October, 1835. He was educated in Canterbury, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, and adopted the profession of journalism. In 1862-'5 he served on the staff of Andrew Johnson, then military governor of Tennessee, and as a volunteer participated in the battles of Stone River, Nashville, Mobile, and other engagements. He afterward became private secretary to President Johnson, and in 1865-'6 was special commissioner to the southern states to inquire into the condition of the negroes and poor white inhabitants. He was special agent of the post-office department for the Pacific coast in 1866-'9 and again in 1878-'9, was president and secretary of the Southern district agricultural society of California in 1873-'7, and now (1888) is connected with the Pacific railroad company. He has published " The South after the War" (New York, 1867) ; "Semi-Tropical California" (1870); " Occidental Sketches" (1878); " Winter Resorts of California " (1880) ; " From the Crescent City to the Golden Gate" (1882); "The Field of Honor," a history of duelling (1884); and " Homes and Happiness in the Golden Gate" (1886).