I almost always use the swords/axes in the woods. Usually militia sgts or highlanders/fmaa, whichever unit I am also using to reinforce my spear line. If I have a light cav unit that can't hack it in the later eras I will have it on the far side of the field, wait for the enemy to come up, and move it to woods in the enemies side to ambush the reinforcements as they come on field. It works if they are surrounded by their own men who are running away.

mfberg