The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20
An Incident Of the Siege 0
se.ia.. Charleston.
DEATH AT A BRIDAL.

From the Charleston 6. CO. Mercury, April a.
The Yankees from time to time throw a
shell into the city and nobody seems to mind
it. But misfortune willed that yesterday a
shell should throw the entire community into
mourning.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter of our for
mer 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 care was Mr.. Andrew de
Rochelle, descendant of one of the noblest
Huguenot families of the city. This young
fair nurse; gratitude gave birth to more ten
der sentiment; his suit was listened to; Gov
Pickens gave his consent, and the marriage
was fixed for yesterday, the 23d of April.
Lieut.. de Rochelle was on duty at Fort Sum-
ter in the morning, and it was determined the
ceremony should take place at the residence of
Gen. Bonham, in the evening, at seven O'clock.
was asking the bride if she was ready, shell
fell upon the roof of the building, penetrated
to the room where the company was assem-
bled, burst and wounded nine persons, and
among the rest Miss Anna Plckens. We can
not describe the scene that followed. Order
was at last re-established, 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 terrible wound under her left
breast, A surgeon came in and declared that
Miss Pickens had not longer than two hours to
live. We will not paint the general despair.
When the wounded girl recovered her con.
sciousness, she asked to know her fate, and
when they hesitated to tell her" Andrew"
she said, 81 beg you tell me the truth. III
must die, I can die worthy of you" The young
soldiers tears were his answer, and Miss Anna
summoning all her strength, attempted to
smile. Nothing could be more heart rending
than to see the agony OF this brave girl, strug-
Cling in the embrace of death and against q
terrible mortal pang. Gov. Pickens whose
courage is known, was almost without CON
sciousness, and Mrs. Pickens looked upon her
child, with the dry and haggard eve of one
whose reason totters.
Lieut.. de Rochelle was the first to speak.
Anna, he cried, II will die soon, too but
would have you die my wife. There is yet
The young girl did not reply: she was too
weak. slight flush arose for an instant to
her pale cheek; it could be seen that joy and.
pam were struggling in her spirit for the mas,
tery. Lying upon sofa, her bridal dress az
stained with blood, her hair disheveled she
mad never been more beautiful. Helpless as
she was, Lieut.. de Rochelle took her hand and
with the ceremony. When it was time for the
dying girl to say Yes, her lips parted several
times, but she could not articulate. AT last the
word was spoken and slight foam rested on
her lips. The dying agony. was near. The
minister sobbed as he proceeded with the cere-
mony. : An hour afterward all was over and the
bridal chamber was the chamber of death.
Lieut.. de Rochelle has sworn to perish in bat
tie against the Yankees, and we are sure he
will Keen his oath. He has now double mo-
tive to hate them and his own existence.