Tuesday, March 15, 2016


  "During the siege of Charleston, during the Revolutionary War, a Lieutenant de Rochelle, was about to be united in marriage to Miss Anna Pickens, the daughter of Ex-Governor Pickens at the home of a General. As the clergyman was asking the bride if she was ready, a bomb-shell fell upon the roof of the house, penetrated to the room where the company were assembled, and burst and wounded nine persons, and among them, the bride. When order was at last restored the bride lay motionless upon the carpet. Her betrothed, kneeling and bending over her was weeping bitterly, and trying to stop the blood that welled from a terrible wound under her left breast. A surgeon came and declared that Miss Pickens had not more than two hours to live. When informed of this, the heroic bride said, "I beg you to tell me the truth. If I must die, I can die worthy of you." The young soldier's tears were his answer, and Miss Anna, summoning all her strength, attempted to smile. Nothing could be more heart-rending to see the agony of this brave girl, struggling in the embrace of death and against a terrible mortal pang. Gov. Pickens, whose courage is known, was almost without consciousness."  Lieut. de Rochelle was the first to speak. "Anna," he cried, "I will die soon, too, but I would have you die my wife. There is yet time to unite us"

  She lay upon a sofa, her bridal robes soaked with her own blood, her hair disheveled, yet she had never been more beautiful, helpless as she was. The clergyman asked the questions, to which she assented, while the groom held her hand. Another had even now come for her; the foam was upon her lips as the service ended. Within an hour the bridal chamber was the place of mourning, and death had claimed her for his own bride."

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