And the dummy award goes to.......

1....You probably blew the fuse link

2....It's possible you took out some /all the alternator diodes

3.....I assume you are using a "mine" starter? The old "wound field" starters don't care about polarity

4.....What is was turned on in the car? Radio? Might have..............

5.....What other solid state devices, GPS, etc? that are 'hot?' Might have damaged them, or just blown the fuse.

6....You have a "big" stereo remote amp? Newer radio with "keep alive" memory? Could be.......

PROBABLY did not hurt the starter. Will not hurt any "old school" stuff like horns, coil, breaker points, heater / wiper motor, and should not have injured the cluster / gauges unless you have a "solid state" IVR