The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-06-01
BOmbardment of Charleston --- A
Thrilling Incident A Bridal
Chamber the Chamber of Death.
From the Charleston Mercury, April "a s..

CFrom the Charleston Mercury, April "a. g.
The Yankees, from time to time, throw a
shell into the city, and nobody seems to mind
it. But misfortune willcd that yesterday a
shell should throw the entire community into
mourning.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter of our
former Governor, never consented to leave the
city. Despite the representations of General
Beauregard, she remained, Drawing shells and
Greek fire, tending the wounded and cheering
all with her presence Among the wounded
officers under her ministering care, was Mr..
Andrew de Rochelle, descendant of one of
the noblest Huguenot families of this city
This young man was full of the loveliest graf
itude for his fair nurse; gratitude gave birth
to more tender sentiment; his suit was lis
tened to Governor Pickens gave his consent,
and tho marriage was fixed for yesterday, the
23d of April --,'
Lieut.. De Rochelle was on duty at Fort
Sumpter in the morning, and it was determin-
residence of Gen. Bonham, in the evening, at
seven o'clock. At the moment when the
Episcopal clergyman was asking the bride if
she were ready, Il shell fell upon the roof of
the building, penetrated to the room where
the company were assembled, burst, and
wounded nine persons, among the restaMiss
Anna Pickens> We cannot describe the
scene that followed. Order was at last re -es-
tablished, and the wounded were removed, all
except the bride, who lay motionless upon the
carpet. Her betrothed, kneeling and bending
over her, was weeping bitterly, and trying to
staunch the blood that welled from q terrible
wound under her left breast. A surgeon came
and declared that Miss Pickeus had not long
er than two hours to live. We will not paint
the general dispair.
When the wounded girl recovered her con-
scienti6usness she asked to know her fate, and
VIXEN they hesitated to tell her" Andrew"
said she, -"I beg you to:tell me the truth. IF
must die, 1 can die worthy of you The
young soldiers tears were his answer, and
Miss Anna summoning all ber strength, at
tempted to smile. Nothing could be more
heart-rending than to see the agony of this
brave girl, struggling in the embrace of death,
and against a terrible mortal pang. Governor
Pickens, whose courage is known, was almost
without consciousness, and Mrs. Pickens look
ed upon her child with the dry and haggard
eye of one whose reason totters.
Lieutenant de Rochelle was the first to
speak. Gamma" he cried, 81 will die soon,
too, but I would have you die my wife. There
is yet time to unite U.s."
The young Girl did not reply; she was too
weak. A slight flush rose for an instan to
her pale cheek it could be seen that Joy and
terry. Lying on sofa, her bridal dress all
stained with blood, her lair disheveled, she
had never been more beautiful. Helpless as
she was, Lieutenant De Rochelle took her
hand and requested the Rev. Mr.. Dickinson
to proceed with the ceremony. When it was
time for the dying girl to say Yes, her lips
parted several times but she could not articu-
late. At last the word was spoken, and
slight foam resting upon her lips. The dying
agony was near. The minister sobbed as he |
proceeded with the ceremony. An hour after
ward all was over, and the bridal chamber was
he chamber of death. Lieutenant Dc Ro-
,helle has sworn to perish in battle against the |
Yankees, and we are sure that. he will keep |
his oath. He has now a double motive to |
hate them and his own existence.
Our entire community share the grief that |
lf1icts the family of Gov. Prckens. The OBJ
,equies of Miss Anna will occur tomorrow |
morning at ii o'clock. Gov. Pickens and |
Lieut.. De Rochelle will be chief mourners-l
Dur Ex-Governor deeires that there shall be
10 military parade. The funeral cortege will |
De composed of all our ladies', all our magis- |
rates, all our Generals and wounded soldiers,
many of whom owe their lives to the devotion |
IF, the deceased. Never has woman been fol |
owed to the grave by SO many regrets-never |
1as one left saddGr remem brances in the hearts |
If Charlestonians.