But with the aid of British forces in Jamaica, the rebels defeated France, leaving de Barquier with no choice but to capitulate in 1809.
Appointed aide-de-camp to the General-Prince of Hesse, decorated with the Cross of Saint-Louis in June 1792, in July 1792, he became lieutenant-colonel in September, and he was promoted to adjutant-general in February 1793.
After the rout, he received in 1804 the command of the 1st division, strong of 2,000 French soldiers under the orders of General Jean-Louis Ferrand.
Joseph-David de Barquier then took command of the Eastern Division of Santo Domingo and resisted during an 8-month siege in the capital's fortress.
He was soon deprived of all communication with the metropolis and of all internal assistance, the city being invested by a Spanish army corps under General Juan Sánchez Ramírez.