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Eonwe was indeed the mightiest in arms of all Arda, meaning that NO-ONE could have withstood him in battle (not even the Valar, according to the wording).
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Eonwe's skill with conventional weapons of battle was the greatest. I don't take that to mean that he would have beaten, for example, Tulkas in his strenth. Or the power of Manwe, or Orome in their anger. I feel certain that battles, when they involved the Powers, would take into account more than might in the weapons (not guns, obviously) of the dwellers of Arda - which Eonwe happened to be the best at, the most formidable sword-wielder in Manwe's domain.
But yes, the Silmarils weren't the primary goal for the War of the Wrath. It was for the deliverance of the Two Kindreds that Earendil pleaded. When Maedhros and Maglor took the remaining two jewels, Eonwe permitted them to leave for he would not allow their slaying - something he would have had to do had he guarded the Sils from them himself, whoever mentioned that - as he was not allowed to condone this by the Valar.
Remember, he was under their command. And the sundering of the Silmarils was fated and isn't really a bad thing; the Valar still have one, and that's the way it turned out. The Sons of Feanor fulfilled their Oath.