Conversion. A change of front, as of a body of troops attacked in the flank.
Conversion, Bridge by. See [Pontons].
Converted Guns. A term applied to cast-iron guns lined with wrought iron or steel tube. See Ordnance, [Palliser] and [Parsons Guns].
Convex Order of Battle. See [Order of Battle, Convex].
Convoy. In the military service, is a train of wagons laden with provisions or warlike stores, or a detachment of troops appointed to guard such a train.
Cooling of Cannon. See [Ordnance, Construction of].
Coptic Legion. In 1799 the French army in Egypt not receiving any reinforcements, grew weaker every day through loss in combat and disease, when Gen. Kleber, who commanded after the departure of Napoleon, formed a corps of Copts, or native Christians, about 600 strong, which was known by this name. They were armed the same as the French troops.
Cordon. In military operations, is a line of sentries inclosing or guarding any particular space of ground, to prevent the passage of persons other than those belonging to the army. The word also applies in fortifications to a row of stones made round on the outside, and placed between the termination of the slope of the wall, so as not to be offensive to the eye.
Córdova. A city of Spain, capital of the province of the same name, founded about 152 B.C.; taken by the Goths in 572, and made the capital of an Arab kingdom in 756. It was rescued from the Arabs by Ferdinand III. of Castile in 1236; was taken by the French under Dupont and disgracefully ravaged, June 8, 1808; surrendered to Joseph Bonaparte, January, 1810, and abandoned by the French in 1813.
Corduroy Road. A roadway formed of logs laid side by side across it, as in marshy places; so called from its rough or ribbed surface, resembling corduroy. See [Cordway].