Straw Plains was the scene of several skirmishs during the war. It was an important transportation hub with the railroad bridge, McBee's Ferry, and the flatboat commerce on the Holston River. It was a "choke point" where all three transport methods came together and was because of the gentle contours of the topography indefencable. It changed hands many times. Strawberry Plains Acadamy was south of the river near the ferry. It was torn down and its brick were made into a "fort". That site is now covered by hwy 11-E.
The Holston Valley suffered several skirmishs Straw Plains, Mossy Creek, Blaine's Crossroads, Bean's Station, Morristown, Russellville, Bull's Gap, White Horn, Rogersville, Big Creek, Limestone Creek, and on into Virginia. The bridge in question is I believe near to Concord near the zinc mines.