[Addressed: To the Honorable / the [Secretary of War] / [undecipherable]] [Endorsed: Charleston 5^th Octo 1798 / Francis K: Huger / Rec^d 24^th / Ans^d 12^th] [Endorsed: Ans Count [undecipherable] / Returned 25 octo to / Cap^t Huger] Charleston 5^th Oct^r. 1798 Sir I herewith transmit a Muster Roll of the Recruits of the 2^d Reg^t. of Artilerists & Engineers under my command raised between the 4^th & 30^th of September. I also transmit a pay Roll for the month of September; and an account of the Expenditure of the money furnished me for the recruiting Service. It will be proper to inform you Sir, that Cap^t. Kalteisen has been so kind as to receive the Recruits at Fort Johnson as I have no Subaltern to take charge of them; & to have them drilled for me as I have no non-commissioned Officer or Recruit capable of that duty. The charges in my Account for Subsistance are for the Maintenance of the Recruits at the Rendevous after Enlistment, and are not the same for every recruit some pleading business to remain in town a day or two longer, others finding some excuse for being too late for the boat. I endeavoured to get them to the Fort as soon after enlistment as possibly, and none drew rations untill they were there. The Charge I have made for one days subsistance is 25 Cents. The contract price here for a Ration before the late augmentation was 20 Cts. No new contract being formed the present value is not ascertained. In conjecturing 25 Cts as the price I believe I shall be short of the valuation, I am certain I am considerably short of the actual expence to myself. The Drum & fife were only hired occasionally & at different times for different prices. They were negroes, obliged to beat for some Militia Companies & making other engagements whenever they found it their interest. I have not gone to the Expence authorised by the Secretary of War. Of the Doctors Bill I can only say that a recruit being taken suddenly ill I thought it my duty to call in Medical assistance & to discharge the account. The other Articles of Expence I incurred with the advice of Persons I thought best capable of informing me. If I have committed Errors or misjudged or inattention to forms, you will do me justice in attributing it to a want of information & knowledge which only seeks for instruction. I am Sir Your H^ble O^bt S^t Francis K. Huger Cap^t 2^d R^gt Art^y P.S. I have enlisted a recruit since the commencement of this month who on that account is not mustered, so that in all I have ten.