Carol,

Ernst was 26 years old when he joined the 24th at Yorktown TX. Feb. 5th 1862. He joined for three years or the war. Ernst was made 3rd Sgt. of company K and later he was made 4th Sgt. Ernst shows up as deserted on a record Feb 4th 1864. BUT Ernst also shows up on a roll of prisoner of war list as captured at Arkansas Post 1/11/1863 and sent to Camp Butler Springfield ILL. and parolled.
Another record shows him as a prisoner captured at Long View Ark. and sent to Rock Island ILL. in 1864. Ernst died of pneumonia at Rock Island and is buired in grave number 1269.

I hope this helps,

Gary D. Bray