Contre-forts likewise form a part of the construction of powder magazines, which are bomb proof. CONTRE-_queue d’hironde_, _Fr._ denotes the figure or shape which is made by the oblique direction of the wings, or long sides of a horned or crowned work, whose branches widen as they approach any place. CONTRIBUTION, in military history, is an imposition or tax paid by countries who suffer the afflictions of war, to redeem themselves from being plundered and totally destroyed by the enemy; or when a belligerent prince, wanting money, raises it by contribution on the enemy’s country, and is either paid in provisions or in money, and sometimes in both. CONTROL, _comptrol_, or _controle_, is properly a double register kept of acts, issues of the officers or commissioners in the revenues, army, &c. in order to ascertain the true state thereof. CONTROLER, an officer appointed to control or oversee the accounts of other officers, and on occasions to certify whether or no things have been controled or examined. CONTROLES, _Fr._ See MUSTER-ROLLS. CONTROLEURS _des guerres_, _Fr._ Muster-masters. This term was likewise applied to signify various other appointments belonging to the interior arrangement of the French army, viz. controlleurs general d’artillerie, controleurs des hopiteaux militaires. See SUPERINTENDANT of military hospitals. CONTROLEUR _general des vivres_. See COMMISSARY general of stores. CONVALESCENT, recovering, returning to a state of health. _List of_ CONVALESCENTS, is a return made out by the surgeon belonging to a battalion, hospital, &c. to ascertain the specific number of men who may shortly be expected to do duty. CONVENTION, a treaty, contract, or agreement between two, or more parties. CONVERSION, is a military motion or manœvre, which turns the front of a battalion where the flank was, when the flank is attacked. The old method of conversion is now exploded, and the new method which has superceded it, has received the name of _counter-march_, or _changing front by counter-march_; this is best effected in column; and is never attempted in line in the face of an enemy. For the manner of performing it and the bad effects of attempting it in the face of an enemy, see _Am. Mil. Lib._