During the spring of 1863, various Confederate units operated along the west shore of the Mississippi River between Gaines Landing and Cypress Bend, including a regiment under Brig. Gen. John B. Clark and a battalion under Col. Richard H. Musser. Confederates fired upon Union vessels on the Mississippi from the vicinity of Gaines Landing on June 14, 1863. In retaliation, landing parties from two Federal vessels burned the town on June 15. On the 27th, Union vessels were again shelled from the vicinity of Gaines Landing; on the 28th, Federal troops landed at Spanish Moss Bend, skirmished with and followed Confederate pickets that withdrew through Gaines Landing, and then returned to their boats.

This site has local significance because it is associated with military activites 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. The state park at Lake Village would be an appropriate venue for the Gaines Landing story.