The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-05-27
From tho Charleston Mercury, April "a,
A Thrilling IRcident.-A Bridal Cham.
Der the Chamber of Death,

~" ''V N@s"'ios'oh mercuTy, Apfli ~,
A Thrilling Incident.-A Bridal Cham.
Der the Chamber Of Death.
The Yankees, from time TO time, throw
shell into the city, and nobody seems to
mind It, But misfortune willed that yes.
'erday shell should throw the entire
community into mourning.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter OF our
iormer Gov..n consented 10 leave the
city. Despite the representation of Gen
Beauregard, she remained, bravinp shells
and Greek fire, tending the wounded and
cheering all with her presence. Among
the wounded officers under her minister.
ing care. was Mr.. Andrew dc Rochelle, a
descendant Of one of the mobiles, Hupue.
Lot families Of this city. This young mar
was full Of the liveliest gratitude for hi.
fair nurse; gratitude gave birth TO more
tender sentiment; his suit was listened 10
Gov. Pickens gave bis consent, and the
marriage was fixed for yesterday, the
Esd Of April.
Lieut.. de Rochelle was on duty at For,
Sumter in the morning, and |, was de-
termined that the ceremony should take
place at the residence OF Gen. Bonham
in the evening, at seven O'Clock. At the
moment when the Epispocal clergyman
was asking the bride If she was ready, a
shell fell upon the roof Of the building
penetrated 20 the room where the compe.
ny were assembled, burst, and wounded
nine persons, among them Miss Anna Pick.
ems. We cannot describe the scene tha,
followed. Order was at last re.es,ablish.
ed, and the wounded were removed, al
except the bride, who lay motionless up
on the carpet. Her betrothed, kneelina
and bending over her, was weeping Bit.
terly, and trying to staunch the blood tha,
welled from terrible wound under he,
left breast. A surgeon came, and de.
clared that Miss Pickens had no. lonpe,
than two hours 10 live. We will no,
pain; the general despair.
When the wounded girl recovered her
consciousness she asked TO know her fate.
and when ihey hesitated TO tell her
"Andrew" she said, 'I beg you 10 tel
me the truth. II must die, l can die
worthy Of you." The young soldier,
tears were his answer, and Miss Anne
summoning all her strength, attempted
TO smile. Nothing could be more heart.
rending than TO see the agony of this
brave girl struggling in the embrace oI
death, and against terrible mortal pang
Gov. Pickens. whose courage is known,
was almost without consciousness. and
Mrs. Pickens looked upon her child with
the dry and haggard eye Of one whose
reason totters.
Lieut.. Do Rochelle was the first 10
speak. "Auna," he cried, 81 will die
soon, too, but would have you die my
wife. There is yet time to unite u.s."
The young girl did hot reply; she was
weak. A slight flush rose for an instsn,
to her pale cheek: il could be seen that
Joy and pain were struggling in her spir.
i Tor the mastery. Lying on a sofa, he,
bridal dress all stained with blood. he,
hair dishevcled. she had never been more
beautiful. Helpless as she was, Lieut.
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 sew.
eral times but sho could not articulate.-
AT last the word was spoken, and a slight
foam resting upon her lips. The dying
agony waa near. Tne minister sobbed
as he proceeded with the ceremony. An
hour afterwards all was over, and the
bridal chamber was the cham5 Der O! death.
Lieut.. De Rochelle has sworn TO perish
i'll battle against the Yankees, and we
are sure he will keep his oath. He has
now double motive to hate them and
his own existence.
Our entire community share the grie
that afflicts the family Of Gov. Pickens
The obsequies of Miss Anna will occur
tomorrow morning at IL O'Clock. Gov.
Pickens and Lieut.. De Rochelle will be
chief mourners. Our Ex-Governor de-
sires that there shall be no military pa.
rade. The funeral cor,ege will be COM
posed Of all our ladies, all our magis.
trates, all our generals. and the wounded
soldiers, many Of whom owe their lives
10 the devotion Of the deceased. Never
has woman been followed to the grave
by SO many regrels-never has one left
sadder rememberances in the hearts OF
Charlestonians.