The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-11-17
DEATHS BRIDE.
Sad Incident of tho War of the Rebellion
--kilIed 1t the Altnr.

--hhieu ~ inc Altar.
The Atlanta. (Ga.) Constitution tells
the following touching story: Scene.
Charleston-Time, April %, 1864. The
Federals, from time to time, threw a
shell into the city, and nobody seemed
to mind it. But misfortune willed that
yesterday shell should throw the
entire community into mourning.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter Of
one of our former governors, never con-
sented to leave the city. Despite the
representation of Gen Beauregard she
remained, Drawing shells and Greek fire,
tending the wounded and cheering all
with her presence. Among the wounded
officers under her care was MIR. Andrew
de Rochelle, a defendant of one of the
noblest Huguenots of this city. This
young man was full of the liveliest graft
tude for his fair nurse gratitude gave
birth to more tender sentiment his
suit was listened to; Gov. Pickens gave
his consent, and the marriage was fixed
for the twenty-third of April. Lieut.. de
Rochelle was on duty Mt Fort Sumter in
the morning, and it was determined that
the ceremony should take place at the
residence of Gen. Bonham, at eight
O'Clock. at the moment when the Epis-
i
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 them
Miss Anna Pickens. The scene that fol-
lowed connot be described ; order being
ut last re- established, the wounded were
removed, with the exception of the
bride, who lay motionless on the carpet.
Her betrothed, leaning and bending over
her, was weeping bitterly and trying to
staunch the blood that flowed from her
terrible wound under her left breast. A
surgeon cane and declared that Miss
Pickens could live but two hours. We
will not paint the general despair. When
the wounded girl recovered her con-
sciousness she asked to know her fate,
when they hesitated to tell her can
drew" she said, "I beg you to tell me
the truth if 1 must die, I can die
worthy of you." The young soldiers
tears were his answer, and Miss Anna,
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 of
death and against mortal pain. Gov.
Pickens was almost without conscious
ness, and Mrs. Pickens looked upon her
child with the dry, haggard eye of one
whose reason totters.
Lieut.. de Rochelle was the first to
speak. Gamma" he cried, "I will die
soon too, but L would have you die my
wife. There is yet time to unite u.s."
The young girl did not reply. She
was too 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 the mastery. Lying
upon o 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 Rev. DIR. Dick
inson to proceed with the ceremony.
When it was time for the dying girl to
say yes, her lips parted several times,
but she could not articulate. AS 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 bridal
chamber was the chamber of death.