Col. Philip Alston was a Patriot leader in Cumberland County who had a reputation of being ruthless to anyone he perceived as being a Loyalist. His home was in what is now Moore County. Col. Alston pursued Col. David Fanning after he raided the Chatham County Court House on July 17th.

While passing by the home of Thomas Taylor, Col. Alston heard a remark that infuriated him. What the comment was has not been passed down for posterity, but he shot Thomas Taylor dead on the spot.

Col. David Fanning stayed the night at Kenneth Black's as he rode to Wilmington to deliver his prisoners taken at Chatham Court House. Black accompanied him part of the way the next day as his guide. When they parted, Black gave him his horse for the tired one Fanning was riding.

As Black returned home he encountered Col. Philip Alston and his militia. He attempted to escape on the worn-out horse, but he was quickly wounded, and fell off the horse. He begged for his life, but the Patriots smashed in his head with the butt of a rifle. He did not die immediately, and was later able to tell Fanning who his attackers were.

Col. Alston did not continue his pursuit of Col. Fanning. On his return home he stopped at Deep River at the home of Loyalist Col. Hector McNeill and accused the old man of stealing one of his slaves. Col. Alston threatened to hang him if the slave was not returned. Mrs. McNeill had her own slave track down the missing one of Col. Alston's and return him.

Col. Philip Alston - Commanding Officer

Cumberland County Militia-Unknown number of men

Kenneth Black

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