Railroad

The railroad proved to be a boon for Strawberry Plains. Both people and goods could be shipped to large cities by rail. It was built in two sections, one beginning in Bristol and the other in Knoxville with the two sections meeting in Greene County at a midway point. It was built by mule, manpower, wheel-barrow, and dump cart. A depot was located in Strawberry Plains. The railroad bridge that crossed the Holston River suffered several attacks and was burned four times during the Civil War. The railroad transported Union and Confederate soldiers and vital supplies. Four forts were built for its protection, one on Holston Hill, two on the Hamilton Farm, and one on the hill above the Methodist Church.

This photograph is of the Siege of Knoxville, November-December 1863. Longstreet aimed to drive Burnside out of East Tennessee and did shut him up in Knoxville, which he defended successfully. This view, taken after Longstreet's withdrawal on December 3, includes one of Strawberry Plains, which was on his line of retreat.