Cotice, or Cost. In heraldry, one of the diminutives of the bend. It is a fourth part of the bend, and is usually borne in couples, with a head between.
Couchant. In heraldry, a beast lying down, with his head up, is couchant. If the head is down, he is [dormant].
Coulmiers. A village 10 miles west of Orleans, Central France. Here the Bavarians under Gen. Von der Tann were defeated by the French army of the Loire under Gen. d’Aurelle de Paladines, who took about 2000 prisoners, Nov. 9, 1870, and regained Orleans.
Council of War. A conference of officers in military or naval warfare, on some matter in which the commander wishes to fortify his judgment by an appeal to that of others. The commandant of a garrison generally solicits the opinion of a council of war before surrendering to besiegers.
Counter-approach. A trench by which the besieged proceeds to meet the approaches of the besiegers. It is generally zigzag.
Counter-arch. A vertical arch connecting the top of the counter-forts.
Counter-battery. A battery which returns the fire of an opposing battery.
Counter-changed. In heraldry, when several metals and colors are intermixed, one being set against the other, they are said to be counter-changed.
Counter-forts. Interior buttresses constructed for the purpose of strengthening masonry revetments.
Counter-guards. Sometimes called couvre-faces, are works constructed in permanent fortifications to cover a bastion or demi-lune. They consist of two faces forming a salient angle.