Enlisting in the First Arkansas Regiment as a private soldier, and serving for twelve months as orderly sergeant; at the reorganization he was elected colonel of the regiment, and afterwards, on account of merit and ability, was commissioned brigadier-general; distinguishing himself for conspicuous bravery and gallantry on every battlefield, and being "scalped" by a minnie ball at Richmond, Kentucky-- which scar marks its furrow on top of his head today.

In every battle he was engaged in, he led his men to victory, or held the enemy at bay, while the surge of battle seemed against us; he always seemed the successful general, who would snatch victory out of the very jaws of defeat.

In every battle, Polk's brigade, of Cleburne's division, distinguished itself, almost making the name of Cleburne as the Stonewall of the West.

Polk was to Cleburne what Murat or the old guard was to Napoleon.

And, at the battle of Chickamauga, when it seemed that the Southern army had nearly lost the battle, General Lucius E.Polk's brigade made the most gallant charge of the war, turning the tide of affairs, and routing the Yankee army.