The battle that was fought when the opposing armies met was one of the most stubborn and bloody in Nephite history. Never from the beginning had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingely great strength and courage. Time after time their hosts rushed upon the well-ordered ranks of the Nephites, and notwithstanding the latter's armor, they crushed in their heads and cut off their arms.
But the cost to their own numbers of these charges was terrible. The battle began at a hill called Riplah, and afterwards extended to both sides of the River Sidon. At one time a lull took place in the carnage, and Moroni, who had no pleasure in the shedding of blood, ordered his men to stop the carnage.