George Henry Thomas
When the regiment arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, McClurg was named a judge advocate of a general court martial. When Major General Alexander McDowell McCook noticed McClurg's skill in the proceedings, he named McClurg his acting assistant adjutant general. McClurg assisted with planning the Tullahoma Campaign. Following a command reorganization following the Battle of Chickamauga, McClurg was reassigned to the staffs of Philip Sheridan, George Henry Thomas, and Absalom Baird. Baird named McClurg his adjutant general, assisting with the Chattanooga Campaign.