After the Battle of Corinth on October 3-4, 1862, the Federals occupied Corinth and northern Mississippi until January 24, 1864, when they abandoned the area as the focus of Union war aims shifted east and the town no longer held strategic military significance. To defend the occupied territory, the Union fortified the Memphis & Charleston Railroad and established entrenched outposts around Corinth at Kossuth, Rienzi, Jacinto, and eastport. Later, when Union strength in the region was reduced to support operations elsewhere, these garrisons were retired closer to Corinth. Camp Davies, built astride the Danville-Rienzi Road in the fall of 1863, and Camp Glendale, constructed along the Old Jacinto Road, were two of these new fortified outposts.

Camp Davies has regional/state significance becauses of its association with the Union garrison at Corinth that portected Grant's northeastern flank when he began his advance toward Vicksburg in November 1862.

Camp Davies has been acquired by the Friends of the Siege and Battle of Corinth to ensure the protection of the remaining earthworks. The site would eventually be transferred from the Friends Group to the National Park Service and added to the Corinth unit of Shiloh National Military Park. The visitor experience would be improved by the addition of waysides on site and more detailed interpretation at the new Visitor Center in Corinth.