The Genealogy of William Tobias Phillips, p. 17, states that Absolom joined the Civil War on 16 Sept 1861, in Co. G, 54th Virginia, under Capt. George Turman. Reinlisted on 24 Oct 1862, served with the Light Artillery Company of Jackson's Battalion at the Virginia state line. Signed up with Co. G, 22nd Virginia Calvary for a thrid tem. Captured by the Union army at Waynesboro on 2 Mar 1865, while serving with Co. A, 45th Virginia; released from prison on 21 June 1865.

Listed in the 1890 census of Floyd Co., VA (which survives in an alphabetized copy made by the County Clerk), in the Indian Valley district, as Sarah Simons, 56, with Nancy M., 14.