Culture: There are two important parts of the battle’s description: first, the Lamanites flee, leaving their wounded king behind; and second, he is wounded, not dead. While both of these facts are not necessarily foreign to modern warfare, they are more understandable in the context of Mesoamerican warfare.
First, even though the Limhites were not half so numerous as the Lamanites, their ambush is effective. Warfare of the time was essentially hand-to-hand, not long distance. Thrown arrows (employing the atlatl) might wound from a distance, but not necessarily kill the foe, if he were wearing the defensive padded shirt that was used for armor. (See commentary accompanying Alma 43:18–20.) Once the initial surprise of the attack from ambush has had its effects, the two armies would engage in hand-to-hand combat. The net effect of two Lamanites for every Limhite suggests that the ambush had not completely evened the odds or incapacitated half of the Lamanite army.
The ambush succeeded because the Limhites break through to the king and wounded him severely enough to incapacitate him. This stroke appears to have ended the battle, and the surviving Lamanites “speedily” retreated.
Next, we note that the king was only wounded. While there were certainly casualties in Mesoamerican warfare, both intent and characteristics of the weapons were more likely to inflict injury than death. Given Mesoamerican culture, it is predictable that the Limhites would attempt to capture the king rather than kill him.