Over There

In the war-torn society following the Civil War, the American population had little or no taste for military action of any kind and the weary U.S. Congress was in agreement. There were, however, several wiser heads who realized that weakness begat strife and America was falling far behind in building battleships for her protection. To determine just how far behind and how to catch up with potential enemies, a reluctant Congress authorized the creation of what was to become Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). Lack of funding limited the size and scope ONI’s operations. Three junior lieutenants were selected for training and sent abroad as Naval Attachés assigned to American embassies with the missions that would decide the fate of American sea power and most likely the future of the United States of America.