I lost a lot of my research in a recent flood. Can anyone identify where this remembrance of Colonel Peter McGlashan of the 50th Georgia comes from? I believe it's from - Confederate Veterans Association. Addresses Delivered Before The Confederate Veterans Association, of Savannah, Ga. 1898-1902.

“It was a bad position in some respects, as it was commanded by superior heights in front covered with the enemy’s sharpshooters, whose incessant and deadly fire confined our men to the trenches so we could not observe what was going on in our front, making it possible for them to mine under us in comparative safety, a fact that Gen. Grant was not slow to take advantage of, as events subsequently showed.

“During the time we were making and strengthening the works a pathetic incident occurred that shall never be effaced from my memory… A young, tender lad, one of our later recruits, had been with us all through the campaign…Only 16 years old, and almost too weak to endure the severe forced marches, he would struggle to keep up, until his pale, distressed face, attracting my attention I would dismount and make him ride until rested and strong again.

“This occurring occasionally made me take a strong interest in the lad, all too young for such rough work, which he seemed to gratefully appreciate. Always in his place in the fighting line, I would look for him at the close of an engagement and feel relieved to find him unhurt.

“While at work in the trenches he was sent to the rear for some purpose, and, boylike, sprang out on the bank, going direct to the rear, instead of taking the covered traverse way, thus making himself a target for a score of riflemen who commenced firing at him. I looked anxiously after him as I saw bullets tearing up the ground all around him, when I saw him fall forward on his face, shot through the back. Springing out I rushed down the slope, picked him up and brought him back into the lines. Calling for a litter we laid him gently on it; he was fatally wounded and dying. Turning his eyes toward me he made a motion as if he would speak. Bending down over him I said: ‘Willie, what can I do for you?’ Making a last effort he threw his arms round my neck, saying: ‘Colonel, I love you.’ It was his last words, as he died on the way to the hospital. But while life remains his loving devotion, his last tender look, will never be forgotten. Such were the sacrifices made by the South in a cause deemed by them as sacred and holy.”