Sauron's trips to Sammath Naur

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by CAB

You are probably right. Now that I think about it, this is more evidence that the Nazgul had some will of their own. Minas Morgul’s troops having their own banners, etc. and especially autonomy, sounds like an attempt to keep the Witch King happy to me. If he was no more than Sauron’s puppet, then why not dress and treat the Morgul Orcs like the rest of those in Mordor?

Sure. I also think he was promised Gondor to rule, much like the Mouth was promised Isengard. Sauron had to keep his underlings happy, aspecially someone as powerful as the Witch-King.

I think people tend to give to much credit to the UT quote "had no will of their own". I think it applies only to the very specific situation, their being UNABLE TO CLAIM THE RING for themselves. That is all.
From the same chapter in UT it is evident that it was the WK who directed the Search for the Ring in the Vales, decided where to go, and when to return. And the following passage in LOTR leaves no doubts that it was the WK, not Sauron who devised and directed the assault on Minas Tirith:

. It was no brigand or orc-chieftain that ordered the assault upon the Lord of Mordor’s greatest foe. A power and mind of malice guided it. .... He was still in command, wielding great powers. King, Ringwraith, Lord of the Nazgûl, he had many weapons.