he waited almost a year before receiving another command assignment of any kind. it came thanks in part to confederate general jubal early and his threat against washington, d.c. mccook was placed in command of the "defenses of the potomac river and washington" and was in charge of all forces defending the capital at the battle of fort stevens. the day the battle ended, so did mccook's command of the city's defenses and he was again without command. at the close of the war he was given command of the district of eastern arkansas. he received brevet promotions to brigadier general and major general in the regular army for service throughout the war.