The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-06-22
From the Charleston Mercury.
A Bride Killed at the Altar by Fed.
eral Shell.

"A oliue hllleu dC Ine hltar Dy a red
eral Shell.
The Yankees, from time to time throw
shell into the city but nobody seems to
mind it. But misfortune wilIed that yes
Ierday shell should throw the entire com
munity into mourning.
Miss Anna Pickeus, the daughter of
our former Governor, never consented to
leave the city. Despite the representa-
ton of Gen. Beauregard, she remained,
Drawing shells aud Greek Fire, tending to
the wounded, and cheering all with her
presence. Among the wounded officers
under her ministering care, was Mr. Au-
drew De Rochelle, descendant Of one Of
the noblest Hugenot families Of the city
This young man was full of the liveliest
gratitude to the fair nurse; gratil ude gave
birth to n more tender sentiment; his suit
was listened to; Gov. Pickens gave his
consent and the marriage was fixed for
yesterday, the 29d Of April.
Lieutenant De Rochelle was OH duty
at Fort Sumpter in the morning, and it
was determined that the ceremony should
take place at the residence of Gen. Bon
ham in the evening at 2 o'clock. At the
moment the Episcopal clergyman was
asking the bride if she was ready, shell
fell upon the roof of the building, pene-
trated to the room where the company as
sembled, burst and wounded nine persons,
among the rest Miss Annie Pickens. We
cannot describe the scene that followed
Order was at length reestablised, and
the wounded were removed, all except
the bride, who lay motionlcs on the car
pet. Her betrothed, knceling and bend
ing over her was weeping bitterly and try
ing 10 staunch the blood that welled from
a terrible wound under the left breast
A surgeon came and declared that Miss
Pickens had no longer than two hours to
live.
When the wounded girl recovered her
consciousness, she asked to know her fate,
and when they hesitated to tell her, she
said, Andrew, beg you to tell me the
truth. If must die, ! can die worthy
of you." The young soldiers tears were
his answer, and Miss Anna summonne
all her strength attempted to smile
Nothing could be more heartrending
than the agony of this brave girl strug-
Cling in the embrace Of death and against
terrible mortal pang.
Governor 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 lotters. Lieut.. De Roch-
ellie was the first to speak. "AnnA," he
cried, "I will soon die, too, but l would
have you die my wife. There is yet time
to unite u.s." The young girl did not re-
ply, she was to weak. A slight flush
rose for an instant to her pale cheek; it
could be seen that JOY and pain were
struggling in her spirit for mastery. Ly-
ing upon a sofa, her bridal dress all stain
ed with blood, her hair dishevelled, she
had never been more beautiful.
Helpless as she was, Lieut.. De Roch-
ellie took her hand and requested the Rev.
Mr.. Dickinson to proceed with the cere-
mony. When it was time for the dying
girl to say yes, her lips parted several
times, but she could not articuate Al
last the word was spoken, and slight
foam rested upon her lips. The dying
agony was near. The minister sobbed as
he proceeded with the ceremony. An
hour afterward all was over, and the bri-
dial chamber was the chamber of death.
Lieut.. De Rochelle has sworn to perish
in battle against the Yankees, and we are
sure be will keep his oath. He has now
a double motive to hate them and his
own existence.
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