Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-03
[From the Charleston Mercury, April "a.
Incident in the BOmbardment of the city
" Charleston.

The Yankees, from time to time, throw shell
into the city, and nobody seems to mind it. But
misfortune willed that yesterday 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 the representation Of Gen. Beaure-
gard, she remained, Drawing shells and Greek fire.
tending the woundeG, and cheering all with her
presence Among the wounded officers under her
ministering care was Mr.. Andrew de Rochelle, a
descendant of one of the noblest Hugenot families
of this city. This young man was full of tle live
lest gratitude for his fair nurse gratitude gave
birth to amore tender sentiment his suit was list
ened to: Governor Piekens gave his consent, and
the marriage was fixed for yesterday the 23d of
April
lieutenant DeRochelle was on duty at Fort
Su1hpter in the morning, and it was determined
that the ceremony should take place at tie resi-
dence of Gen. B0nham in the evening, at seven
o clock. At the moment when the Episcopal cer-
gyman was asking the bride If she was ready a
shell fell upon the roof ofthe building. penetrated
to the room where the company were assembled,
burst and wounded nine persons. aud alnopg the
rest Miss Anna Plckels We cannot describe the
scene that followed. Order was at last re-estab-
lshed, and the wounded were removed, all except
the bride, who lay motionless upon the carpet
Her betrothed, lneeling and bending over her,
was weeping bitterly and trying to stencil the
blood that welled from a terrible wound under her
left breast a surgeon came and declared that
Miss Pickens had not longer than two hours to
live Neswill paint the general despare.
When the wounded girl recovered her conscious
ness, she askedto know her fate, and Bhen they
hesitated to tel ber-''Andrew. she said /
beg you to tell me the truth IF / must die, can
die worthy Of you The young soldier tears
were lis answer, and Miss Anna summoning all
her strength, attempted TO smile. Nothing could
L. II
this brave girl struggling In the embrace of death,
and against terrible mortal pang. Governor Pick
ems, whose courage Is known was almost without
con sciousness, and Mrs. Pickens locked upon her
child with the dry and haggard eye of one whose
reason totters. Lieut.. DeRochee was the first to
speak Anna, he cried, L will die Soon too,
but | would have You die my 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
stant to her pale check 1T could be seen that JOY
and pain were struggling in her spirit for the mas
t6ry. Lying upon d sofa her bridal dress all stain
ed with blood, her hair disheyeed, she had never
been more beautiful.
Helpless as she was, Lieut.. De Rochelle took
her hand and requested the Rev. Mr.. Dickerson
to proceed with the ceremony. it was
time for rhe dying girl to say yes, her lps par
ted several times but she could not articuate. 1t
last the word was spoken, and a sligpt foam res
ted upon her lips The dying agony was near
The minister sobbed as he proceeds with the
ceremony An hour afterward all was over, and
the bridal chamber was the chamber of death. =
Lieutenant De Rochelle has sworn to perish in
battle against the Yankees, and We are sure he
will keep his oath He has now double motive
to hate them aud his own existence
| Our entire community share the grief that af-
flicts the family of Governor Pickens The obse-
/ quies of Miss Anna win occur tomorrow morning
at II o'clock. Governor Pickens and Lieut. De
Rochelle viii be chief moiirners Our ex-tiovern-
or desires that there shall be no military parade
Thefuneral cortege will be composed of all our Ia
wounded soldiers, many of whom owe their lives
| to the deyotion of the deceased. Never has wo-
man been followed to the grave by so many regrets
never has one left sadder renlenbrances in tie
hearts of Charleston.