When the soldiers of Alma met the combined armies of the enemy a terrible battle ensued; the Nephites were taken somewhat at a disadvantage, but being men of great faith, they fervently sought Heaven's aid, and in the increased valor this faith inspired, they advanced to the combat. With Alma at their head the advance guard forded the river and attacked the enemy who stood awaiting them. By the fury of their charge they drove into the ranks of their opponents, and as they pushed onward, throwing the dead bodies of their fallen foes into the river, they made an opening for the main body of Alma's troops to gain a foothold.
In this charge Alma met Amlici face to face, and they fought desperately. In this midst of this hand to hand combat, Alma lifted his heart to the One on High, and prayed for renewed strength that he might not be overpowered, but live to do more good to his people. His prayers were answered, and thereby he gained new vigor to battle with Amlici, and eventually slay him. Amlici slain, Alma led his attack to where the king of the Lamanites fought. That monarch retired before the impetuous valor of the High Priest, and then he commanded his guards to close in upon Alma. This order was promptly obeyed, but it did not succeed.
Alma, with his men, bore down upon them with such fury that the few of the monarch's warriors who escaped the onslaught made a hasty retreat. Pushing steadily on, Alma kept driving the allies before him, until at length his whole army had crossed the Sidon. There the enemy, no longer able to meet Alma's well-ordered advance, broke in all directions and retreated into the wilderness that lay to the north and west. They were hotly pursued by the Nephites as long as the latter's strength permitted, and Alma's armies were met on all sides by patriots rallying to the call of the Commonwealth, and who slew the Amlicites and Lamanites by the thousands. A remnant of the allied armies eventually reached that part of the wilderness known to the Nephites as Hermounts. In that vast, uncharted area, many died and their bodies were devoured by wild beasts and vultures with which that region abounded.