In this letter, John Cocke orders Colonel Ewen Allison (stationed in Greeneville, Tennessee) to ready a brigade of men to repel what Cocke fears is a forthcoming attack by the Creek tribe. Allison is further instructed not only to repel them but to chastise them. Cocke closes by reminding Allison be careful not to mistreat peaceable Indigenous people but treat them with hospitality and friendship.