Suppression of the Froberg mutiny at Fort Ricasoli, Malta

Background. The Froberg Regiment was formed using dubious methods, recruiting personnel from various nationalities in Albania and the Ottoman Empire. The 513 men arrived on Malta in 1806 but were unhappy with their rank and pay. To prevent unrest, the Commander of British Forces in Malta, William Villettes, confined them to Fort Ricasoli, a large fortification at the entrance of the Grand Harbour.

Command and Resentment. In November 1806, William Villettes appointed Lieutenant-Colonel James Barnes as the regiment's commander. This appointment increased the troops' resentment. The mutiny broke out on 4 April 1807 while Lieutenant-Colonel Barnes was in Valletta. The soldiers, identified as Albanian in some accounts, shut themselves up in Fort Ricasoli.

Aftermath. The mutiny lasted until 12 April 1807. The fort's magazine was blown up during the incident. The British government ordered the regiment to be disbanded in June 1807. An eight-page report about the mutiny, likely written by Vittorio Barzoni, was published. Count Froberg, the regiment's founder, was in Constantinople when he heard about the mutiny.