I've been organizing bios for the generals of the Army of the Tennessee. The idea that Stevenson was essentially kicked upstairs does have merit when you consider all his post-Vicksburg assignments.
After the Siege of Vicksburg, he briefly led an expedition of XVII Corps troops from August 20 to September 2 that occupied Monroe, Louisiana, and then returned to Vicksburg. In the fall of 1863, he then took over the District of Corinth amidst the Chickamauga-Chattanooga Campaign and was unhappy with the role. The district had only 3 Illinoisan regiments, two black units, and a few engineer companies, and Stevenson took to complaining to Hurlbut about how vulnerable he was. Stevenson carried out the abandonment of Corinth from January 11 to January 23, 1864, as ordered by Hurlbut.
His last assignment in the Army of the Tennessee was another rear-area command, this time covering the Tennessee & Alabama Railroad to Pulaski, Tennessee with the detached Third Division of XV Corps. He was so dissatisfied with the assignment that he resigned on April 22, 1864, turning over his command to Gen. C. L. Matties in May 1864. He was then reappointed on August 7, 1864… to another rear-area posting at the District of Harpers Ferry, where he stayed for the rest of the war though he was briefly head of the Department of West Virginia.
There's also some interesting writing by John Rawlins, dated February 11, 1864: "General John D. Stevenson, the gentleman who presented me a fine saddle at Vicksburg, is here on his way to Pulaski, and I am of the opinion that he will want a change made in his order, and on the strength of his friendship for me and my reciprocation of it will expect to succeed, but in this he is mistaken. I would do anything in the world for the General, consistent with the public service, but I think in command of Pulaski he will do better than at any other place." Ouch.
With regards to Vicksburg, Timothy B. Smith notes in his book on the Vicksburg assaults some negative feeling among the rank and file. 'Stevenson "got lost for some time from us" at Raymond ten days previously, and word had slowly sifted down through the ranks. The response from Colonel James J. Dollins of the 81st Illinois had also filtered down. When Stevenson sent a staff officer to find the brigade, and the staffer told Colonel Dollins what had happened, Dollins replied, "Go back and tell Gen Stevenson that in battle if he wants to find the 81st to always go to the front."'
Bringing the