I agree with you partially but don't think that's the point. Flanking maneuvers are indeed difficult, especially for cavalry, and this is not depicted correctly in EB / RTW. Funnily, cavalry moves far better in "ballet" than infantry.

Then again, having the army march forward, simply forward without gearing to any side, without change of formation depth, 1/2 mile away from the enemy, should not impose any difficulties and thus not lead to soldiers forgetting the location they had 5 seconds ago.