The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-05-19

Iron the Charleston Mercury April 2l1
The Yankees, from time u tine, Throw
= sheH into the city. and nobody seems to
mind it. But misfortune willed that yes
terday . shell should throw the entire.
community into mourning.
go Mips ApDa Pieksns. the daaeAter Of
our former Governor, never consented -
leave the city. Despite the representa-.
tione OF Gen. Beauregard, she remained,
braving the shells and Greek FIRE. tending
the wounded aud cheering oil with her
presence. Among the wounded officers
under her Numbering care, was Mr..
Andrew de Rochelle, = descendant Of
one Of the noblest Hugenot families Of
this city. This young man was fun Of
sne ilveliest gratitude for his fair nurse:
gratitude gave birth to q more tender
sentiment, his suit was listened to:
Governor Pickeps gave his consent. and
the marriage was fixed for yesterday, the
Esd of April.
Lieut.. De Rochelle was on duty at Fort
compter IN the morning, and it Was deter.
mined that the ceremony should take
place at the residence of Gen. Bonham.
In the evening, at seven o'clock. At the
moment when the Episcopal clergyman
was asking the bride ii she was ready. :
smell Tell upon, the roof Of the. building,
penetrated to the room where the compapy
were assembled, burst, snd wounded nine
persons, among the rest Miss Anna Pick
ems We cannot describe the scene that
followed. Order was at last re-establish.
ed, and the wounded were removed. all
except the bride, who lay motionless up
on the carpet. Her betrothed, kneeling
and bending over her, was weeping bitter.
ly,and trying to staunch the blood that
welled from terrible wound under her
left breast. A surgeon came, and declar-
ed that Miss Piekens had not Longer than
two hours to live. We will not paint the
general despair.
When the wounded girl recovered her
consciousness she asked TO know her fate
and when they hesitated to tell her-"An.
drew" she said, 81 beg you to tell me the
truth. Ii must die, can die worthy
Oh you. The young soldiers tears we're
ms answer, and Miss Anna summoning
an her strength, attempted to smile
Nothing could be more heart-rending than
to see the agony of this brave girl. st.uo
CLING In the embrace of death, and against
terrible mortal pang. Governor Pickens,
whose courage rs known, was almost with
out conclousness, and Mrs. Pickens look
ed upon her child with the dry and bag
gard eye of one whose reason totters.
Lieutenant De Rochelle was the first to
speak. "Anua." he cried, az will die
soon, too. but would have YOU die INV
wife. There is yet time to unite us.
The young girl did not reply; she was
TOO weak. A slight flush rose for an in
s.ant to her pale cheek it could be seen
That Joy and pain were struggling in he,
spirit for the mastery Lying on sofa.
her bridal dress all stained with blood
ner hair disheyeed. 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 vas
Time Tor the dying girl to say Yes, her lips
parted several times but she could mol A.
uculate. AT last the word was snokan
and slight foam rested upon her lips
The dying agony was near. The minis
ter sobbed as he proceeded With the cere.
mony. An hour aftervard all was over
and the bridal chamber was the chamber
OF death. Lieutenant De Rochelle has
sworn to perish in battle against the Van.
KEGS, and We are sure that he win keen
his oath. He has now double motive 70
hate them and his own existence.
Our entire community share the grief
that affilcts the family of Gov. pickens
The obsequies of Miss Apaa will occur
tomorrow morning at IL O'Clock. Gov
Pickens aud Lieutenant De Rochelle viii
pechief mournurs. Our ex-Goyernor do. |
sires that there shall be no military ns.
rade. The funeral cortege will be com. |
posed OF all our ladies, all our maeistrates
all our generals, and all our wounded sol. |
aiers, many OF whom owe their lives To |
the devotion OF the deceased. Never bs,
woman been followed to the grave bv an
many regrets-never has one left s.dder
remembrances in the hearts Of Charlesto. |
mans.