mac, It sounds like you did "in one step" - a wire (from battery) to starter - that won't engage the starter,like as to "simulate starting with the key".Because you got the starter motor "freewheeling" , you say , you don't say the solenoid "clicked" .The ONLY thing you did was put battery power DIRECTLY to STARTERS MOTOR "LUG" that is AFTER the solenoid. 1) Because IF you put it on the "First" solenoid HIGH CURRENT LUG at TOP - the ONLY way starter motor can POSSIBLY turn,freewheel -whatever- is with the solenoid WORKNG & pushng PLUNGER ACROSS those two HIGH CURRENT LUGS ! It is actually a TWO STEP process to "test jump the way you intend. 1st you put a heavy cable from battery to TOP SOLENOID LUG , 2nd you "Jump" from THAT top lug to the LITTLE SCREW TERM. (ign. lug) on solenoid - this shifts solenoid over to mash the gear into flywheel , while AT THE SAME TIME CONNECTING HIGH CURRENT BATTERY + to the LOWER LUG ( or motor winding) to TURN NOW !!!
So I believe you did the wrong way to jump , try to get a good semblance of this and picture where your putting your wires , make sure you do understand the difference here or ask someone there - "Live & in color" .
A good idea would be to watch AND ask any questions while like an Autozone counterman tests a starter in front of you - AFTER SHOWING THEM MY INSTRUCTIONS/& LOGIC here .