Mormon portrays the Lamanite solders as fearful, begging for their lives. I suspect that Mormon is exercising literary license. The Zoramite-led army of Lamanites at Manti, when Moroni had them surrounded, did not lay down their arms and plead for mercy. Instead, they fought “like dragons” (Alma 43:44). The difference is that the first army had a determined, courageous, and competent commander, while this second army has a leader who has already changed sides. Lack of a leader, not lack of courage, ended the conflict.