In August 1838, the American trading vessel Eclipse was visiting the village of Terbangan, on South Aceh, when 24 Malays approached.

News of the massacre reached Commodore George C. Read in December 1838 while he was sailing off Ceylon in command of the East India Squadron.

Columbia and John Adams were in the process of circumnavigating the globe in conjunction with, though not part of, the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838 to 1842.

Once they had arrived, the two U.S. Navy vessels formed a line of battle just in range of five earth and wooden forts that protected the village and opened fire.

Wyman's men attacked Muckie, while Columbia and John Adams provided covering fire with their cannon.

Although most of the inhabitants fled their village upon the outbreak of fighting, some of the Malay men attempted to resist the attack but were overwhelmed.