Ben C. Polk, born about 1830, resided possibly in Leon County, Texas, according to the Jones Roster.  He was killed in 1876 in Coleman, Texas.  According to Noah Armstrong, an earlier settler in Coleman County and early saloon owner in Coleman, "The second man to be buried there was murdered.  His name was Polk and he was killed near Coleman as he was going up the trail, by curly headed Tom Smith who had differences with Polk, and when they met Smith dismounted and asked Polk to fight him.  It is thought that Polk was unarmed when Smith shot him.  I attended this funeral."  His tombston reads, "Ben C. Polk - Bugler Co B 8 Texas Cav CSA."  There are no birth or death dates on his tombstone.  He is buried in Map Page 3, which is one of the oldest section of the Coleman Cemetery.  It is not known if Ben Polk lived in Coleman County or was only killed near Coleman and buried in the Coleman Cemetery.

Accoring to his Confederated records, Ben C. Polk (sometimes noted as Ben A. Polk) was mustered into Company B, 8th Texas Cavalry, at Houston, Texas on September 7, 1861.  He was promoted to Regimental Bugler in July 1862; was present in May 1863; was wounded at Farmington, Tennessee in October 1863; rode with Shannon's Scouts on at least one occasion.  The 8th Texas Cavalry was also known as Terry's Texas Rangers.

"General Order No. 12, by Gen. Polk, I never saw before. The facts are: Wharton was colonel commanding a cavalry brigade near the fair grounds at Bardstown, Ky., October 4, 1862, when he was surrounded. He obeyed Folk's order to remain at a given point until a given minute. The enemy were met, Rangers in front. The enemy in their front were on a pike (macadam road), with a five foot stone fence on each side, and in column of platoon of sixteen file. They were charged by the Rangers and repulsed, by the bugle sound of charge, but no man gave the order. It was the quick perception of the situation by the bugler, Ben C. Polk. Wharton's gray mare was shot in the fore leg by the first Yankee platoon. In the confusion every man fought on his own hook. The Federals reported two hundred and eighty four killed and wounded, but it freed the army of Bragg for three days, or until the 7th of October, when there was planned by Bragg and executed by Wharton the most brilliant move he ever was connected with, culminating in the saving of Bragg's army at Perryville, Ky. October 1, 1862. The charge was led by the Rangers, as usual, every man doing his level best to get in first and do all the damage he possibly could by staying in and shooting all the time and hitting a man in a vital spot every time he shot. This charge was one of three made by Terry's Rangers that surpassed any others made by any troops during the war. "In the charge at Perryville they killed three times their number."

A Confederate Cavalry Regiment Engaged in the Unfortunate War Between the States
NEW BIRMINGHAM TIMES, April 9, 1892

" .... I remember an occasion where a large number of cavalry was posted just below the brow of the hill preparing to charge with drawn sabres. The videttes discovered their intention. Some member proposed to run them away, and went to Ben Polk, bugler, and County Jones, color-bearer, and had them charge with one or two others. Polk blew the charge and as they rose the brow of the hill, and the yanks saw the colors of the regiment and heard the charge blasted, they took to their heels and the boys chased them half a mile. ...."

Terry's Texas Rangers
By Mrs. Kate Scurry Terrell.
A Comprehensive History of Texas, Vol . 2

(1862)  "From Murfreesboro, Forrest made his celebrated feint on Nashville, causing panic and wild confusion in that devoted town.  In his official report he says:  “I hear the enemy was badly scared.  I regret exceedingly I had so few men.  I might have captured the city without trouble.”  The Murfreesboro’ fight made Forrest a brigadier-general, and he was given command of a division.  Wharton was now in command of the brigade and Major Harrison of the “Rangers,” and Bragg and Buell were racing towards Louisville, the “Rangers” in front of Buell stubbornly contesting every mile of his march.  At Bardstown, Kentucky, Wharton was ordered by General Wheeler to hold a certain position for a given time, to allow Bragg to move away.  The brigade was in an open field, men and horses resting.  The “Rangers” had been in the saddle forty-eight hours, and most of that time fighting.  The scouts sent to reconnoiter came flying in to report that they were surrounded by Buell’s army.  Captain Jaron’s company, guarding the rear, was seen moving rapidly towards the regiment.  Colonel Harrison remarked to Wharton:  “There is great danger when Jarmon retreats in a hurry.  What had best be done?”  Wharton replied: “Charge them outright.  Up, Rangers, and at them!”  And as the Federal cavalry, like a great blue cloud, charged down upon the little band with drawn sabers, gallant Ben Polk wrapped his bridle-reins around the pommel of his saddle, and, holding his six-shooter in his right hand, blew a defiant charge with his left.  Jarmon wheeled into position, and the “Rangers” with a wild yell thundered down upon the advancing column.  White got to one side with his two small cannon to allow the rear to pass, and, seeing a place to operate, unlimbered and poured shot into the enemy over the heads of the “Rangers.”  The Federals broke in confusion, throwing arms and accoutrements away as they scattered,-- “Texas six-shooter against Yakee sabre, and victorious.”  Wharton had cut his way through to Wheeler, and was made a brigadier for this charge."