mcclernand's service as a major general was tainted by political maneuvering, well resented by his colleagues. he communicated directly with his commander-in-chief, president lincoln, offering his criticisms of the strategies of other generals, including maj. gen. george b. mcclellan's in the eastern theater and grant's in the west. in october 1862, mcclernand used his political influence with illinois governor richard yates to obtain a leave of absence to visit washington, d.c. and president lincoln, hoping to receive an important independent command. secretary of war edwin stanton agreed to order him north to raise troops for the expedition against vicksburg. early in january 1863, at milliken's bend, mcclernand superseded sherman as the leader of the force that was to move down the mississippi. on january 11, 1863, he took arkansas post, an expedition suggested by sherman. on january 17, grant, after receiving the opinion of admiral david dixon porter and general sherman that mcclernand was incompetent to lead further operations, united a part of his own troops with those of mcclernand and assumed command in person, and three days later ordered mcclernand back to milliken's bend. during the rest of the vicksburg campaign there was much friction between mcclernand and his colleagues; he intrigued for the removal of grant, spreading rumors to the press of grant drinking on the campaign.