Polsley, John J.

Lieutenant Colonel John J. Polsley (1831-1866) was the son of Judge Daniel H. Polsley (1803-1877) and Eliza Vilette Brown (1809-1879). In May 1860, John J. Polsley married Ellen (Nellie) S. Donnally of Middleport, Ohio. During 1861, Polsley enlisted in the Union Army as part of the 8th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, which became the 7th Regiment West Virginia Cavalry in 1864. Polsley was commissioned as a major during August 1862 and promoted to lieutenant colonel in March 1863. He engaged in battle throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from Winchester to Covington; the Potomac region outside of Washington, D. C.; and central West Virginia. On December 19, 1863, Polsley was captured in a battle on the Jackson River near Covington, Virginia. The Confederates held him in Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia, until May 1864 when he was transferred to an officers prison in Macon, Georgia. One month later he was sent to Charleston, South Carolina. As part of an exchange, he was permitted to go home but was back with his unit by October 1864. Polsley was mustered out in 1865 and returned home to Charleston, West Virginia. During his time at Libby Prison, Polsley had been ill with scurvy and never fully recovered. He died on December 19, 1866. He had four children with his wife. Only one child, daughter Nellie May, lived to adulthood.

From the description of John J. Polsley papers, 1839-1948 (bulk 1861-1879). (University of Akron). WorldCat record id: 768773739

Army officer.

From the description of Papers of John J. Polsley, 1861-1872. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449404

Lieutenant Colonel John J. Polsley (1831-1866) was the son of Judge Daniel H. Polsley (1803-1877) and Eliza Vilette Brown (1809-1879). His father, Judge Polsley, was a prominent figure in the movement for West Virginia to become a separate state from Virginia. Abraham Lincoln appointed Judge Polsley the first Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia in 1861, and in 1866, he became a member of the 40th Congress. In May 1860, John J. Polsley married Ellen (Nellie) S. Donnally of Middleport, Ohio. During December 1861, Polsley enlisted in the Union Army as part of the 8th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, which became the 7th Regiment West Virginia Cavalry in 1864. Polsley was commissioned as a major during autumn of 1862 and promoted to lieutenant colonel in March 1863. He engaged in battle throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from Winchester to Covington; the Potomac region outside of Washington, D. C.; and central West Virginia. On December 19, 1863, Polsley was captured in a battle on the Jackson River near Covington, Virginia. The Confederates held him in Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia, until May 1864 when he was transferred to an officers prison in Macon, Georgia. One month later he was sent to Charleston, South Carolina. As part of an exchange, he was permitted to go home but was back with his unit by October 1864. Polsley was mustered out in 1865 and returned home to Charleston, West Virginia. During his time at Libby Prison, Polsley had been ill with scurvy and never fully recovered. He died on December 19, 1866. He had four children with his wife. Only one child, daughter Nellie May, lived to adulthood.

From the guide to the John J. Polsley Papers, 1839-1948, 1862-1866, (Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron)