The previous evening they received 160 uniforms from Rome. Yesterday the feast was celebrated by the entire Pontifical army and all of those from the campaign of Mentana. The Battalion and escort went to communion at Solemn High Mass while the clergy and choristers of Berga sang. The day is memorable in military annals for it was on this feast that the Papal Briefs on knighthood were given and the brevets of the campaign. pages 3 and 4 are missing as confirmed by the printed letter on p. 1 of the Freeman's Journal of Jan. 10, 1874 The enemy made a sortie from Berga on the upper bank of the Llabregat. Our troops advanced to meet the front guard which was 2 miles above Berga. The fort opened shell fire on us but we fired upon the advance guard and in a half hour the enemy rapidly fell back all the way to the fortress, having lost an officer and several men in the engagement. If it had not have been necessary to be sparing with our an unition we could have followed up our advantage. Our forces were 200 men while those of the enemy comprised 600 men. The object of the sortie was to obtain provisions but they paid very dearly for the 4 mules laden with potatoes and 2 laden with green fodder. We had insufficient forces to prevent them from entering the heights we already possessed. The Papal Zouaves are now fully organized in Holland, often by the same men who organized them in Rome. Wills leaves tomorrow to receive 4 recruits who are expected every day. There has been no recruiting news from Ireland, but a slow campaign may be a sure one. Don Alfonso has not returned yet. He has gone into Germany and Austria to visit his mother but should be back at least by January 12. In a fortnight the whole batallion will be uniformed. He asks McMaster to remember him to Major Reily and the men of St. Michael's Society. :: I-1-o A.L.S. 7pp. 2pp. missing 12mo.