Just to respond a little bit more to your big post, Bill, although its a minor point, that's what we're here for, right [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
My impression was that the rout of Theodred's cavalry was caused by them being caught in the flank (by Saruman's cavalry, wolfriders and uruks) just as they were exiting from the ford, being still mounted, but probably in a march column (ie 2 or 4 abreast). This would be a disastrous formation for any unit to be caught in. The horseholders mentioned were, I think, attached to the 3 companies of horse left back at the fords before Theodred's advance. Obviously they weren't doing a good recon job as the Eastern forces of Saruman achieved devastating surprise.
I agree with Mrs. Bill that the fords had a signficance for the Rohirrim which was greater than their real value. In the second battle Elfhelm almost got it right, planning to hold a ridge north of the fords on the eastern side, whereas Grimbold was more determined not to 'abandon his post'. What I reckon they should have done was concentrate east of the ford and immediately south of the road, so that they could hold a sensible position against Saruman's eastern force, while denying use of the ford to the Western force; any attack across the ford could then be repulsed in the same manner as the wolfriders scattered Theo's cavalry. (I'm sure this is fairly confusing, you'll need UT and a map to get it!).
On the battle point, with a re-read I see what you mean about the maneuverability of individual units. As I understand it many medieval deployments consisted simply of a left, right and main battle (perhaps with a vanguard or rearguard on occasion). The individual maneuverability seems more remeniscent of horse and musket era battles where each batallion or regiment had its own chain of command and could be used independently if necessary. Perhaps from the English to the American Civil wars would define the period better.
Oh dear Bill,
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and everyone was happy, except those who had to mow the grass
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btw. Rumil is going on a quest across the sea, not by the straight path, I hasten to add, but to the New Lands where he will attend a meeting of the wise (and rag-tag hangers-on like Rumil) to consider the effects of Sauron's poisons upon the realm of Ulmo. Big C and Lady G have arranged passage on one of Cirdan's ships for the journey to the strange land of Floridor (inhabited, we hear, by monstrous cold-drakes). With the blessing of the Valar, he should return in two weeks time.
Cheers,
Rumil