u/Weird-Elk2226

Instead of studying, I was looking out the windows on my train when I remembered a story I heard, and I need you guys to help me identify and complete the story behind it.

I read once that there was a prince from Bavaria who was the commander of the Bavarian troops he led, who came with the Grande Armée during the invasion of Russia. When Napoleon retreated after the capture of Moscow and the famous (imo overrated) winter hit the French army, his men stood at one night all tightly together around the prince so that he wouldn't freeze to death. At dawn a lot of his men died as a result of hypothermia, but he survived.

It was a long time ago that I read this story, so maybe the story is a bit deformed, but I know for sure it was something along those lines and that my mind didn't make this up.

Do you have any ideas?

One of my ancestors, Joannes Baptista Smekens (born in Lokeren, 18/02/1791), was a fuselier in the 85th regiment of the line who was conscripted in 15/06/1811. After research, I foudn out that regiment was led by colonel Piat, and in general it was part of the fourth division of the Ist Corps under Davout. Following that logic, he would have fought at Mogilev, Borodino and Smolensk before being captured at the battle of Viazma on 03/11/1812.

Here's the link for some information about him: https://www.memoiredeshommes.defense.gouv.fr/consultation-inventaire?detail=91056&arko_default_66b0ec7881abb--modeRestit=arko_default_66b0ed47415e5#visionneuse-manual|/_recherche-api/visionneuse-infos/arko_default_66b0ec7881abb/arko_fiche_669eb9c1e7218/arko_default_66b0f1f0a88b1/image/46297/337|0|337

I was wondering how I could find out what happened to him after his capture and maybe what rank he had (or just some more information in general). Does anybody have any hypotheses or idead for possible sources to find that out?

Thank you all in advance!