Even with these advantages, the experienced Lamanites fought ferociously. In addition to what must have been considerable personal expertise, they were literally fighting for their lives, caught between three armies (Manti at the front, Moroni on the same side of the river behind them, and Lehi behind them on the other side of the river). They must have seen that their only hope was to destroy the force in front of them before Lehi’s force could cross the river and attack them again. Defeating this army would also give them access to Manti, their military objective, and presumably a place of relative refuge. No wonder they fought fiercely.