This particular passage provides oblique confirmation of earlier inferences. First, the Lamanites must have held the numerical superiority (v. 51) since, despite their losses at the ford, they still almost overwhelmed the Nephite army. Second, part of the reason they almost prevailed was probably, as I have argued, that the local militia, who were less well equipped and less well trained, formed the largest part of the Nephite army and the final defense line before Manti. This description, unlike the face-down at Jershon, makes little mention of the thick clothing except that the Lamanites in their might pierced even the armor (v. 44).
One detail is important. Moroni explicitly shows up at the defense of Manti even though he clearly leaves his unit in the valley south of Manti. Apparently he has come a different way to Manti to support the local militia.