Are there favorable times... to let the game auto resolve the combat for you???

For instance...

Right after a Save...
I get attacked by a Faction Leader and 2 of his brats.
With 0 other troops.

and in the province I have 300 men... Two Spears One Peasent.
And a couple units of Hobilars.

If I do the battle my self... The King & Sons usually tear apart my foot troops...
I charge the Hobilars into their flanks... and usually take out a prince or two... before their King makes a break for it. (and of course... the Hobilars can't catch 'em.)

This pretty much turns all of my units into hamburger with at least 50%+ casualties.

Reload the game... try it again... same thing.

but if I let the game auto resolve the combat...
I only lose 20~30 men... win the day... all is good... Huzzah

Am I just fighting the battle wrong?

I know Royal Knights are tough... but a lone old fogie king surrounded by 200 men... shouldn't kill 75% of them... and then trot off unscathed.

or is it that the auto resolve knows you should win if you have a zillion to one advantage.