Again the Nephites were forced to retreat; this time they fled to the City of Jordan, the Lamanites in hot pursuit. But, notwithstanding their many troops, they were driven back and the Lamanites failed in the attempt to capture the City. The Lamanites made yet another attack upon Jordan, but the Nephite forces with almost superhuman efforts "did maintain the City." Mormon notes that there were other cities which did not fall to Lamanitish aggression. These cities stood in the way of their further advancement so at that time the inroads of the Lamanite hordes were stopped, the inhabitants of the regions round about were spared from destruction.
As the Nephites retreated farther northward, they gathered up all the inhabitants of the lands through which they passed Those who would not join them in their flight from the Lamanites were slain by the pursuing Lamanites, and the villages and towns were destroyed by fire. Thus ended the 379th year after the birth of Christ.
In the 380th year, the Lamanites again came against the Nephites to battle. Inspired by the fear of what would happen if the Lamanites won, the Nephites stood before them "boldly." But Mormon notes that it was useless and to no avail, because the number of Lamanites was so great that they literally overran the field of battle, and "did tread the people of the Nephites under their feet." (v. 6)
The flight of the Nephites now became a rout; a state of confused running for safety, or from danger. Those Nephites who were swifter in their movements than were the Lamanites, escaped the horrors of Lamanitish brutality; however, those whose flight did not carry them faster than the Lamanites, were slaughtered under circumstances of atrocity and cruelty.