The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-07
Killed at the Altar.

On April 23, S64, the Federal troops, sta
toned at Charleston hsrbor, from time to
time threw a shell into the city, but nobody
seemed to be disturbed.
Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter OF one OF
our former Governors, would not leave the
city. Despite the representation of Gen. Beau
regard, she remained, Drawing shells and
Greek fire, tendingthe wounded and cheering
all with her presence. Among the woun-
ded officers under her care was Mr. An
drew de Rochelle, descendant of one of the
noblest Huguenots Of the city. The young
man was full of the liveliest gratitude for
his nurse; gratitude gave birth to q more
tender sentiment his suit was listened to;
Governor Pickens gave his consent, and the
marriage was fixed for the 23d of 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 General Bonham, at
s o'clock. At the moment when the Epis-
copal clergyman was asking the bride ifshe
was ready, shell fell upon the roof OF the
building, penetrated to the room where the
company was assembled, burst, and woun-
ded nine persons, among them Miss Anna
Pickens The scene that followed cannot
be described Order being at last re-estab-
lished, the wounded were removed, with the
exception of the bride, who lay motionles'
OH the carpet. Her betrothed, lean
ing and bending over her was weeping Bit
terly, and trying to staunch the blood that
flowed from terrible wound under her left
breast surgeon came and declared that
Miss Pickens could not live but two hours.
We will not paint the general despair.
When the wounded girl recovered her con-
seriousness she asked to know her fate, when
they hesitated to tell her, "Andrew," she
said, II beg you to tell me the truth; if l
must die, can die worthy of you" The
young soldiers tears were his answer, and
Miss Anna summoning all her strength, at
tempted to smile. Nothing could be more
heart rending than to see the agony of this
brave girl struggling in the embrace ofdeath
and against mortal pain. Gov. Pickens,
whose courage is known, almost without
consciousness, and Mrs. Pickens, looked up
on her child with the dry haggard eye of
one whose reason totters.
Lieut.. de Rochelle was the first to speak.
"Anna," he cried, 81 will die soon, too, but
l would have you now 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 on sofa, with her
bridal dress all stained with blood, her hair
disheveled, she had never been more beau
tiful. Helpless as she was, Lieut.. de Roch-
ellie took her hand and requested the Rev.
Dr. Dickinson to proceed with the cere-
mony.s When it was time for the dying
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 proceeded with
the ceremony. An hour afterward all was
over and the bridal chamber was the cham
Der of death.