Before entering into close action, Captain Decatur went alongside each of his boats, and ordered them to unship their bowsprits and follow him, as it was his intention to board the enemy’s boats.

Lieutenant James Decatur commanded one of the boats belonging to Commodore Preble’s division, but, being farther to windward than the rest of his division, he joined and took orders from his brother.

When Captain Decatur, who was in the leading boat, came within range of the fire from the batteries, a heavy fire was opened upon him from them and the gunboats.  He returned the fire, and continued advancing, until he came in contact with the boats.  At this time, Commodore Preble seeing Decatur advancing nearer than he thought prudent, ordered the signal to be made for a retreat, but it was found that in making out the signals for the boats, the one for a retreat had been omitted.

The enemy’s boats had about forty men each; ours an equal number, twenty-seven of whom were Americans, and thirteen Neapolitans.

Decatur, on boarding the enemy, was instantly followed by his countrymen, but the Neapolitans remained behind.  The Turks did not sustain the combat hand to hand, with that firmness they had obtained a reputation for.  In ten minutes the deck was cleared.  Eight of them sought refuge in the hold, and, of the rest, some fell on the deck, and others jumped into the sea.  Only three of the Americans were wounded.

As Decatur was about to proceed out with his prize, the boat which had been commanded by his brother, came under his stern, and the men informed him that they had engaged and captured one of the enemy; but that her commander, after surrendering, had treacherously shot Lieutenant James Decatur, and pushed off with the boat, and was then making for the harbor.

The feelings of the gallant Decatur, on receiving this intelligence, may be more easily imagined than described.  Every consideration of prudence and safety was lost in his eagerness to punish so dastardly an act, and to revenge the death of a brother so basely murdered.  He pushed within the enemy’s line with his single boat, and having succeeded in getting alongside of the retreating foe, boarded her at the head of eleven men, who were all the Americans he had left.  The fate of this contest was extremely doubtful for about twenty minutes.  All the Americans, except four, were now severely wounded.  Decatur singled out the commander as the peculiar object of his vengeance.  The Turk was armed with an espontoon, Decatur with a cutlass; in attempting to cut off the head of the weapon, his sword struck on the iron, and broke off close to the hilt.  The Turk, at this moment, made a push, which slightly wounded him in the right arm and breast.  He immediately seized the spear, and closed with him.  A fierce struggle ensued, and both fell, Decatur uppermost.  By this time the Turk had drawn a dagger from his belt, and was about to plunge it into the body of his foe, when Decatur caught his arm, and shot him with a pistol, which he drew from his pocket.  During the time they were struggling on the deck, the crews rushed to aid their commanders, and a most sanguinary scene took place, insomuch that when Decatur had despatched his adversary, it was with the utmost difficulty he could extricate himself from the killed and wounded that had fallen around him.