It was a tragic day for the Nephites when they saw the hordes of Lamanites pouring over the horizon. But the first attack was not against Zarahemla or the east side of Sidon river where many of the wars had been fought in the past. Instead, the Lamanites chose to attack over on the west side where they had completely demolished the city of Ammonihah several years before.
This city had very bitter memories for many Nephites. It was where Alma and Amulek had been tortured and finally felt compelled to appeal to the Lord. As a result, the prison had collapsed and Alma and Amulek were the only ones to come out of the wreckage alive. Later this was the city which the Lamanites had totally destroyed to avenge themselves for the thousands of Lamanite who had been converted by Ammon and his brethren. In spite of this, however, Captain Moroni had almost instinctively felt that this was where the Lamanites would attack again. Therefore he had a tremendous surprise for this latest raiding party of Lamanites as they descended on Ammonihah.