Abner Smith, age 29, Private, Captain Wilson's Company*, 8th Regiment Arkansas Infantry, enlisted July 6, 1861 at Jacksonport, Arkansas by Col. W. K. Patterson for 12 months, promoted 4th Corporal soon after April 30, 1862, recorded on June 30,1862 as having been permanently attached to Pioneer Battalion [James M. Huston's Company, Major Meriwether's Battalion] with Post Quartermaster, rank Private, returned to duty March 12, 1863, recorded on muster rolls as absent, wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga September 19, 1863, continuing as same through August 31, 1864, paid at Montgomery, October 22, 1863 for communation of rations while on sick furlough, for the period Oct. 21 to Nov. 19, 30 days at 33 ct./day, $9.90, signed with an 'X', his mark, no further records.

Note: This would indicate that he was hospitalized for some period of time, subsequently being released on sick furlough for 30 days, October 21, 1863 at Montgomery, Ala. There are no further company muster rolls, thus, we have no knowledge of any subsequent service, if any. He may have been discharged from the Wayside hospital at Montgomery, unfortunately, the only surviving register of patients starts Jan. 1864.

* This company was also known as (Old) Company B, 8th Regiment Arkansas Infantry, and was consolidated with (Old) Company K to form (New) Company A, 8th Regiment Arkansas Infantry

M317: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Arkansas

Pioneers - Soldiers detailed to carry out duties similar to those of mdern combat engineers such as cutting roads, repairing bridges and works, and dismantling enemy artillery, fortifications, and railroads; the Pioneer Corps was a specialized unit in the Army of the Cumberland.
http://www.civilwarhome.com/terms.htm

8th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry

8th Infantry Regiment completed its organization in July, 1861, at Jacksonport, Arkansas, with men from the central part of the state. The unit moved east of the Mississippi River and lost heavily at the Battle of Shiloh. On April 26, 1862, it totalled 272 men and in May was consolidated into five companies and united with the 7th and 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalions. It was assigned to General Liddell's and Govan's Brigade, and in November, 1863, consolidated with the 19th (Dawson's) Arkansas Regiment. After fighting at Perryville, it participated in the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was with Hood in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. Its casualties were 29 killed and 124 wounded at Murfreesboro, and 14 killed, 92 wounded, and 65 missing at Chickamauga. The 8th/19th lost 16 men at Ringgold Gap, totalled 363 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and had 97 disabled at the Battle of Atlanta. Few surrendered on April 26, 1865. Its commanders were Colonels George F. Baucum, John H. Kelly, and William K. Patterson; Lieutenant Colonels H. M. Couch, Anderson Watkins, and James H. Wilson; and Majors John A. Price and W. P. Witt.
http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm