The soldiers that attack you when you first meet Cooke and Mack have a higher attack than the previous two types of soldiers you've met, and HP somewhere in the middle. Like the others, they make up for their attack stat (which still isn't very good) with their number. These ones also have the additional reason to be around, in that they protect the two Numara Cavalries which are in the back row, hitting you for heavier damage. Target these guys with your physical attacks and magic one at a time to clear the way to hurting the cavalries. These guys are the smaller concern of the two, but they have to be dealt with first.