The end of the Revolution did not mean the end of the Militia. In southwest Virginia, the Militia was needed to defend against frequent Indian attacks, both from the south (primarily the Cherokee) and from the north (primarily the Shawnee). The peace treaty with the Cherokee was signed first. Most of the Shawnee attacks were directed against Kentucky. However, some attacks were also directed against the people of southwest Virginia. At least some of these attacks were designed to make it look as if the Cherokee were to blame. As a result, the Militia was needed at least until the Peace Treaty was signed with the "Northwards" Indians in 1794, following the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Perhaps because of his wartime experience, it appears that Charles Cocke was made primarily responsible for the defense of southwest Virginia.

On May 9, 1786, at the first Court of Russell County, Charles Cocke was appointed a Major in the Russell County Militia. On 19 May 1789, the Russell County Court recommended to the Governor that Charles Cocke be promoted to the position of Lieutenant Colonel in the Militia. This recommendation was apparently followed because thereafter, he was referred to as Colonel Charles Cocke.

In a letter from Gov. Blount [of Tennessee] to Secretary Smith, dated 27 Apr 1792 the governor mentioned Colonel Cocke's efforts to apprehend a party of Indians that had killed some settlers and stolen some horses (it is said that this party was headed by the notorious "Chief" Benge). It is not clear whether this incident caused him to lose his command. On 5 Oct 1792, David Chadwell wrote a letter to the Delegates of Russell County asking that Col. Charles Cocke be appointed to take charge of the entire militia in Powell's Valley (David Chadwell later served with Charles Cocke in the Virginia Legislature). However, on 9 Oct 1792, Charles Cocke wrote a letter to Colonel Arthur Campbell, indicating that he was interested in an appointment as Commissary. On 12 Nov 1792, Colonel Campbell wrote a letter to the Governor, supporting the appointment. Charles Cocke must have received the appointment, because on 29 Nov 1792, he signed a bond (along with Richard Price and Isaac Mullen) indicating acceptance of this appointment.

As a result of all these changes, it would appear that Captain Andrew Lewis assumed command of the troops at Fort Lee, and that Charles Cocke provided the necessary rations. It appears that this change was amicable because Charles Cocke regularly corresponded with Captain Lewis and others regarding problems on the frontier and also assisted Captain Lewis in the disposition of his troops. On 24 Dec 1793, Captain Lewis wrote a letter to James Wood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, regarding the loss of four militia men. In the letter, he quoted a report by Charles Cocke, "a disinterested person". Similarly, on 17 Feb 1794, Captain Andrew Lewis wrote a letter to the Governor about a hunting party of "Northwards" Indians passed through Lee County and outlining a course of action. In support of these recommendations, he attached a letter from Colonel Cocke.

The last Indian raid on southwest Virginia is said to have occurred on 5 Apr 1794, and ended on the 9th with the death of the perpetrator, Chief Benge. Chief Benge was half-Cherokee, but was allied with the "Northwards" Indians. The "Northwards" Indians were finally defeated by General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20, 1794. (Charles Cocke's future relative, Charles Lee Dibrell served as a Major in that Battle.) On 24 Oct 1794, Charles Cocke sent a letter to Samuel Coleman authorizing him to draw his pay as commissary of Capt. Hawkins' company.

On 22 Dec 1795, the Greenville Treaty was ratified by Congress. This Treaty ended the fighting with the "Northwards" Indians, ceded Ohio to the United States and granted Indiana to the Indians. By 3 Aug 1796, the United States had already broken the Treaty by creating Ohio County out of Indian territory. Further wars ensued. However, the threat to southwest Virginia had ended.

Sometime in 1795, Charles Cocke was elected a representative from Lee County. The other representative was David Chadwell who had initially recommended the appointment of Charles Cocke as commander of the militia in southwest Virginia.

The First Court of Russell County.
On 9 May, 1786, the first court of Russell County was held in the Castles Woods settlement at the home of William Roberson. Governor Patrick Henry issued commissions to Justices to preside. The Justices were Alexander Barnett, Henry Smith, Daniel Ward, Andrew Cowan, Samuel Ritchie, Thomas Carter, Henry Dickenson and John Thompson.
Andrew Cowan and Thomas Carter were chosen to represent the county in the General Assembly (House of Delegates).
Appointed as county officers were: David Ward, Sheriff; Henry Dickenson, Clerk of Court; Samuel Ritchie and Patrick Porter, Commissioners of Revenue; Harry Smith, County Surveyor; Francis Browning, Coroner.
Appointed as county militia officers were: Colonel Henry Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Cowan, Major Charles Cocke, Captains David Ward, William Thompson, William Dorton, Charles Bickley, Francis Browning, James Davidson, Samuel Ritchie, Josiah Fugate and William Martin. Lieutenants were: Alexander Barnett, John Bowen, Charles Hays, John Tate, James Osborn, Samuel Roberson, Elisha Farris, Thomas Carter, Moses Skeggs and John Van Bebber. Ensigns were: Samuel Young, John Thompson, Robert Tate, Henry Hamblin, Solomon Litton, William Byrd, Benjamin Nichalson, Joseph Johnson and William Ewing.
Soon after the first court meeting, additional Justices were added. They were: Charles Bickley, William Martin, Richard Price, Christopher Cooper, John Bowen, John Tate, James Wharton, Charles Cocke and John Frazier.

At a Court-Martial, Held at the Court-House of russell County,
The 18th day of November, 1788: Present, Henry Smith, Colonel; Charles Cocke, Major; David Ward, James Davidson, Frans. Bronnen, John Tate, Josiah Fugate, Captains; Christopher Cooper, James Osborne, Solomon Litten, Robert Tate, John Bowen, Lieutenants; Reuben Price, Ensign.
Ordered, That Colo. Henry Smith be President of this Court-Martial.
Commonwealth vs. James Gibson, on an arrest of suspition of disobedience of Orders. After the matter being fully heard, it is ordered that he be dismist from said charge.
The Same vs. Richard Thompson for the Same, dismist.

Ordered that Henry Smith be recommended to his Excellency the Governor as a fit person for Lieutenant[?], Andrew Cowan for Colonel of the Militia, Charles Cocke for Lieutenant Colonel and David Ward for Major, John Bower for Captain, Samuel Young for Lieutenant and Moses Higgenbottom for Insign of the Militia for the County of Russell.

The very day I ordered a draft in Hawkins of a company to be sent for the protection of the frontiers of Mers District the wife of Harper Ratcliffe and children were killed. Sundry horses stolen and a party of Indian pursued and fired upon by Colonel Cox of Russell co. This last circumstance was much complained of by the upper Towns as the party fired on did not happen to be the same that took the horses.

Gentlemen:
After our best respects to you both, we humbly entreat you to recommend Col. Charles Cocke, for the Captain for Powell's Valley, as it is the General opinion & outcry of the Citizens of Powell's Valley, he should have the command. Therefore we entreat you as our worthy representatives, to make mention of the said Cocke to the Executive of this state, provided the Executive of the United States Invest a power in the Executive of this State to make a temporary defence on the southwest frontier this next ensuing summer. I also make all endeavours to have the men Inlisted in the Jacent countys, as we should be no ber if we Inlist our own countymen. We beg & pray, each & every one of us, that if the Executive thinks proper to allow three hundred men, as the Cherokee Indians has broke out, & we expect them daily, to drive us as refugees from our Habitations. We are yet on pleading ground, but knows not how long we shall. We assured that if the executive of this State was to hear the perpetual Crys of the women & children, since the knives of the Cherake Indians Breaking out, it would fill them full of Dispare of defending the writes of our country. We every one pray for your welfare, both & wish great success to attend your attempts.

You also mentioned in your letter to me, to be strict in giving satisfaction as a Commissary, which I do, according to my contract with Kent[ucky?]. If I had been appointed by the Governor, and the rations double, I would issue it with free will.
If you could make intercession with the Governor of Virginia to have me appointed Commissary, as I have bought a large quantity of beef for the purpose, and I am about to purchase flour and pork. I will obligate myself to find the men according to law.
I am sir,
Your sincere friend

Sir:
Why I have wished Col. Charles Cocke to be appointed commissary, will appear by the inclosed extract of a letter received before I set out. It is of consideration to the public that he receive the appointment, because Beef elsewhere is generally bought up and drove to the northward.
The commissary that may have to furnish all pork for the rations, will no doubt ask more than eight cents. I mean only that he commisary to the Troops in Powell's Valley.
* * *

Know all men by these presents, that we, Charles Cocke, Richard Price, Isaac [Mullen], are held and firmly bound to Henry Lee, Esq., Governor of the state of Va, and his successors in the just and full sum of two thousand pounds, to be paid to the said governor & his successors; to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves jointly and severally our joint and several heirs, Executors, or administrators, firmly by these presents, sealed with out seals & dated this twenty sixth day of November, 1792. The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas the said Charles Cocke has this day covenanted and agree with the Governor of Va. That he the said Charles Cocke, will regularly furnish the two companies of volunteer militia under the command of _____, now raising for the defense of the south western frontier of the state, with rations from the third day of December next, till they shall be regularly discharged, each ration to consist of one pound of beef or three-quarters of a pound of pork, one pound of flour bread, flour or fine Indian meal, half a gill of Rum Brandy or Whisky, and one quart of salt for every hundred rations; the said Charles Cocke to receive from the public treasury eight cents for each ration furnished. Now if the said Charles Cocke shall regularly supply the said troops with rations as above stipulated, and for the term aforesaid, then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and Virtue.
Charles Cocke (seal)
Rich'd Price (seal)
Isaac Mullens (seal)
sealed and delivered in presence of:
Arthur Campbell
Andrew Cowan

Agreeable to the Governor's request to me, the following is a statement of manner in which Captain (James) Hawkins' company sustained the loss in October last. On the first day of November I received the information as represented to me - supposed the officer to have acted with neglect. I immediately wrote to Captain Hawkins to inquire into the conduct of the officer and to report to me. On receipt of my letter he came to Fort Lee and reported as follows: 'That he had went out with a party of about 20. After crossing Cumberland Mountain he fell on the sign of 2 or 3 Indians making into the inhabitants; that he directed a small number of his men to follow that trail in and give the settlements notice, which they refused. He then said he would take a few men, come in himself, and the other party consisting of 15 men might go on, which he did, and ordered the party that went to observe the directions of Samuel Oxer (Auxier), a Scout. After going on some time, they fell on the sign of about 10 Indians and pursued them; although the signs appeared fresh, they observed no order, but shot at turkeys, etc., until discovered by the enemy who lay in ambush for them. Just before they came to the enemy Samuel Oxer left them to kill some provisions - had got but a very small distance from the party, when he came upon the Indians' knapsacks and fell to plundering them - while at that he heard the party fired upon; at which fire Hobbs, Stennett, Fowler, and Knowles fell - the rest fled precipately.' I cannot help regretting the loss of the men - at the same time hope it will be a warning to officers, or rather convince them the necessity of soldiers obeying orders, but no doubt, but he intended well.

Sir:
Colo. Charles Cocke, from Lee County, arrived at this place last evening. As he is a Gentleman whose character stands fair, as well as being an experienced and brave officer in Indian Warfare, and being on the Spott when the Draft from Washington served their Tower, I beg that your Honorable Board will admit him with myself to come forward and personally be examined respecting the conduct of Col. Campbell and those Troops while in service. I also request that something may go forward setting forth the Decision of the Board on this subject, as I am informed by these Gentlemen that the friends of Col. Campbell, who have left this place. are industrious in prevailing on the public to beleive that I am highly censured by the Executive. which tends much to the disadvantage of an officer and injurious to his feelings.
I am, sir, with Respect,
Your most ob't Serv't.

On a conversation with Col. Charles Cox of Lee County, who appears to be a disinterested person, have collected the following information respecting Captain James Hawkins' conduct in respect to the loss of his troops on the 22nd of October last: 'Horses had frequently been stolen by the Indians, and was generally supposed to be camped over Cumberland Mountain. Captain Hawkins took a part of his company, the number 19, including himself, to endeavor to find them out. After going the distance of about forty miles, he fell on the sign of a small party of Indians making toward the settlements. He proposed then that four men should return on that sign and give the inhabitants notice. There appeared an unwillingness in their disposition to return. At length a non-commissioned officer proposed to return if Captain Hawkins would go with him, which he consented to do with three men. Came in and set the people on their guard. He then directed the main body of his men to take the back trail of the party that they were on and follow it over the mountain, then to turn up the north side of the same, and so into the settlements, and directed them to observe the orders of Samuel Oxer, a Scout, but having no respect to the orders given, they proceeded the distance of about 35 miles over the mountain and fell on the sign of about 10 Indians; followed that a day and a half, paying no respect to orders, firing at everything they met with until discovered by the enemy, who waited on their sign, fired on them, the superior in number, they fled precipatately.'

Authorizing him to draw his pay as commissary of Capt. Hawkins' company.