Following his recovery, in February 1713, Dücker attempted to try and re-join Stenbock's army besieged in Tönning. He planned to sneak into the town by disguising himself, but this was abandoned. Dücker then returned to Stralsund where he resumed command of the city as well as all Swedish forces in Pomerania. In March, he was appointed general of the cavalry. In October, after Stralsund had once again come under siege and Stettin had been captured, Dücker received orders from the Royal Council urging him to withdraw his troops back to Sweden. Dücker, however, refused these orders, saying that he wouldn't leave unless he was commanded to the king. For the early part of 1714, Dücker then set about on building up Stralsund's defences; raising more troops and acquiring more funds, munitions and supplies. In May 1714, he managed to successfully incorporate two regiments from Holstein-Gottorp under Swedish command.
