One compelling story of the American Civil War is that of the steamer Nashville. One naval historian described the ship as “a ghost that for months ran the sea lanes of the globe with scores of ships on her trail.” Originally a mail ship for the Union, the Nashville would serve as a raider, a blockade runner, and even a privateer- because, don’t all good stories involve pirates?
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.