The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-05-25
From the Charleston Is. c. Mercury, April -.

From the Charleston Is. Co. Mercury, April "a.
Death at a Bridal.
The Yankees from time to time throw
q shell into the city and nobody seems to
,a.nd it, But misfortune wiled that YES
terday shell should throw the entire COM
muuity into mourning f.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter of our
former Governor, never consented to leave
the city. Despite the representations of
Gen. Beaurcgard, 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, a desccndent of
one of the noblest Huguenot families of
the city. This young man was full Of
the lveliest gratitude for his fair nurse
gratitude gave birth to more tender ser,.
timent his suit was listened to; Governor
Pickens gave his consent, and the marriage
was fixed for yesterday, the 23d April.
Lieut.. de Rochelle was on duty at Fort
Sumpter in the morning, and it was deter
mined that the ceremony should take place
at the residence Of Gen. Bonham, in the
evening, at 7o'colck. At the moment
when the Episcopal clergyman was asking
the bride if she was ready, shell fell upon
the roof of the building, penetrated to the
room where the company was assembled,
burst and wounded nine persons. among
the rest Miss Anna Pickens. We cannot
describe the scene that followed. Order
was at last re-establshed, and the wounded
were removed, all except the bride, who lay
motionless upon the carpet. Tier betroth-
cd kneeling and ben ding over her, was
weeping bitterly and trying to staunch the
blood that welled from terrible wound
under her left breast. surgeon came
sad 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
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. If must die, can die worthy of
you.' The young soldiers tears were bis
answer, and Miss Anna, summoning all
her strength, attempted to smile. Nothing
could be more heart rending than to sec
the agony of this brave girl, struggling in
the embrace of death and against terrible
mortal pang. Gov. Pickens, whose cour-
age is known, was almost without consci.
business, and Mrs. Pickens looked upon
her child with the dry and hsggard eye of
one whose reason totters.
Lieut. de Rochelle was the first to speak.
anna" 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 not reply; she was
toe weak. A slight flush rose for an in.
slant to her pale check it could be seen
that joy and pain were struggling in her
spirit for the mastery. Living upon a sofa
her bridal dress all stained with blood, her
hair disheveled, she had never been more
beautiful. Helpless as she was, Lieut. de
Rochelle took her hand and requested the
Rty. Mr.. Dickinson to proceed with the
ceremony. When it was time for the dy-
ing girl to say Yes, her lips parted several
times, but she could not articulate. At
last the word was spoken, and slight foam
rested upon her lips. The dying agony
was near The minister sobbed as he pro.
cceded with the ceremony. An hour after
ward all was over and the bridal chamber
was the chamber Of death.