Counterhurters. In gunnery, are pieces of iron bolted to the rails on which the gun-carriage moves to check it in front and rear. See [Ordnance, Carriages for, Sea-coast Carriages].
Countermand. To revoke, as a former command; to direct or order in opposition to an order previously given, thereby annulling it, or prohibiting its execution.
Countermarch. A change of direction of a company or battalion in column from front to rear, by a flank movement, retaining the same ground.
Countermine. A gallery underground so constructed as to facilitate the formation of mines, by means of which those of the enemy may be reached and destroyed.
Countermine. To oppose by means of a countermine; to frustrate the designs of, by sinking a well and gallery in the earth, in search of an enemy’s mine.
Counter-parole. A word given in any time of alarm, as a signal.
Counterpoise Carriage. A gun-carriage which, applied to a gun mounted in [barbette], allows it to recoil behind the parapet or other shelter, and by means of a counterpoise brings it, or assists in bringing it, again into [battery] after it has been loaded. Among the best known of these carriages are Moncrieff’s and King’s,—the former invented by Capt. Moncrieff, of the British army, and the latter by Capt. W. R. King, of the U. S. Engineers. In Moncrieff’s carriage the counterpoise is a heavy weight between the cheeks of the top carriage. In King’s the weight is in a well under the pintle-block, and is attached to the carriage by a wire cable.
Counter-round. A body of officers, whose duty it is to visit and inspect the rounds and sentinels.
Counterscarp. In fortification, is the vertical or nearly vertical side of the ditch nearest to the besiegers, and opposite to the scarp or escarp. It is generally faced or [revetted] in permanent works, to render the descent into the ditch difficult.
Counterscarp Galleries. Galleries under the counterscarp at the salients, for the purpose of flanking the ditch.