At the time of the Civil War Cypress Bend was located on the Arkansas shore of the Missisisippi River, across from Greenville, Mississippi, and approximately 8 miles below the town of Napoleon, Arkansas. Confederate forces fired upon the Union steamer Blue Wing from this bend in December 1862. Other instances in which Confederates fired upon Federal vessels on the river from Cypress Bend included February 10 and June 20-21, 1863.

This site has local significance because it is associated with military activities and events that achieved or affected important local objectives of the Vicksburg campaign.

The site would be documented. Onsite interpretation and connecting the site to the Vicksburg Heritage Coalition is encouraged. The probable shifting of the Mississippi River since 1863 means the interpretation would need to be some distance from the river.