COTANGENT, the tangent of an arch which is the complement of another to 90°.
COTE extérieur du poligone, Fr. exterior side of the polygon. The line which is drawn from the capital of one bastion to another.
Cote intérieur du poligone, Fr. interior side of the polygon. The line which is drawn from the angle of one gorge to the angle of the gorge most contiguous to it. See [sides of the Polygon].
COUNCIL of war, in military affairs, is an assembly of principal officers of an army or fleet, called by the general or admiral who commands, to concert measures for their conduct.
COUNTER-Approaches, lines or trenches made by the besieged, when they come out to attack the lines of the besiegers in form.
Line of Counter Approach, a trench which the besieged make from their covered way to the right and left of the attacks, in order to scour or enfilade the enemy’s works.
Counter-Battery, a battery used to play on another in order to dismount the guns. See [Battery].
Counter-breastwork. See [Fausse-braye].
Counter-forts, in fortification, are certain pillars and parts of the wall, distant from 15 to 20 feet one from another, which are advanced as much as may be in the ground, and are joined to the height of the cordon by vaults, to sustain the chemin de rondes, and the part of the rampart, as well as to fortify the wall, and strengthen the ground. See [Buttresses].
Counter-guards, in fortification, are small ramparts, with parapets and ditches, to cover some part of the body of the place. They are of several shapes, and differently situated. They are generally made before the bastions, in order to cover the opposite flanks from being seen from the covert way; consisting then of 2 faces, making a salient angle, and parallel to the faces of the bastion. They are sometimes made before the ravelins. See [Fortification].