Polsley, Lewis Wetzel and Charles B. Waggonner represented Mason County at the Wheeling Convention in May 1861. In the General Assembly Sessions at Wheeling in July 1861, December 1861-February 1862, May 1862 and December 1862-February 1863, fellow delegates elected Polsley president of the nascent state's senate.
Polsley, Lewis Wetzel and Charles B. Waggonner represented Mason County at a gathering in Wheeling in May 1861. Through several General Assembly meetings in Wheeling from July 1861 to February 1863, Polsley was elected as the head of the state senate by other representatives.