Amalickiah, conspicuous for his military ability, nevertheless failed in his strategy when he neglected to lead his soldiers into battle. His presence there undoubtedly would have urged them to deeds of valor in forwarding his plans which otherwise in accomplishing them, they contributed nothing. "He did not care for the blood of his people," and in spite of the calculated loss involved therein, he may have ordered an attack on the Nephite stronghold.
But notwithstanding the prize involved, "Amalickiah did not come down himself to battle." And the Zoramite captains he had appointed over his army were already defeated in their minds, and dared not seek to overcome the solidly entrenched Nephites. Moroni had changed the former routine of battle; the rendezvous of his soldiers was not where the Amalickiahites believed them to be, and their stations involving action were empty and different ones assigned them. The Lamanites could not come in upon them en masse to grips; there was nothing they could do but retreat.