Alma 58:12-28

¹² And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty. ¹³ And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti; and we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city. ¹⁴ And it came to pass that on the morrow, that when the Lamanites saw that we were in the borders by the wilderness which was near the city, that they sent out their spies round about us that they might discover the number and the strength of our army.

Alma 58:12–14 (Emphasis mine)

Having received reinforcements, Helaman(2) took his army and they marched to the city of Manti.  They pitched their tents near Manti. 

The next day, the Lamanites saw the army camped by their city.  They sent out spies to learn as much as they could about Helaman(2)’s army.

“With morale somewhat restored, Helaman planned to take Manti by a ruse—and it would have to be a good one, since the Lamanites now knew all the answers. He pushed his bivouac as near to the town as he dared ‘by the wilderness side’ (Alma 58:13), where the enemy easily discovered that his force was not a very strong one; but the insolent position he had taken, which put him in a position to cut off supplies to the city (Alma 58:15), demanded that something be done about him, even though his little army was far too weak to attempt a siege.”[1] (Emphasis mine)

¹⁵ And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support except they should come out to battle against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to battle. ¹⁶ And when we saw that they were making preparations to come out against us, behold, I caused that Gid, with a small number of men, should secrete himself in the wilderness, and also that Teomner and a small number of men should secrete themselves also in the wilderness. ¹⁷ Now Gid and his men were on the right and the others on the left; and when they had thus secreted themselves, behold, I remained, with the remainder of my army, in that same place where we had first pitched our tents against the time that the Lamanites should come out to battle.

Alma 58:15-17 (Emphasis mine)

Seeing Helaman(2)’s army was weak, and “fearing that we should cut them off from their support,” the Lamanites felt they could defeat the Nephites.

Once he saw the Lamanites were going to attack, Helaman(2) split his army into three parts.  Gid took men and hid in the wilderness.  Teamner also took men and hid in the wilderness.  Gid was on the right; Teamner was on the left. 

“As soon as Helaman made sure that the Lamanites were getting ready to come out and teach him a lesson, he divided his small forces into three bodies; one under Teomner went off and hid out in the wilderness in one direction, while the other under Gid moved out and lay low in the other direction. The Lamanites came out in full force and took after Helaman, who of course retreated at top speed, leading the pursuers unawares right between the forces of Gid and Teomner, who lay quietly until they had passed and then ‘ran to the city and fell upon the guards,’ for in their haste and confidence the Lamanites had left only a few to guard the town, and they were easily destroyed (Moroni not being there to prevent it) (Alma 58:16—22).”[2] (Emphasis mine)

¹⁸ And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against us.  And when they had come and were about to fall upon us with the sword, I caused that my men, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness. ¹⁹ And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us that they might slay us; therefore they did follow us into the wilderness; and we did pass by in the midst of Gid and Teomner, insomuch that they were not discovered by the Lamanites.

²⁰ And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places, and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites that they should not return to the city. ²¹ And it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to the city and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy them and did take possession of the city.

²² Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer their whole army, save a few guards only, to be led away into the wilderness. ²³ And it came to pass that Gid and Teomner by this means had obtained possession of their strongholds.  And it came to pass that we took our course, after having traveled much in the wilderness towards the land of Zarahemla.

Alma 58:18-23 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites took the bait.  The army came out to attack Helaman(2)’s army.  Helaman(2) had is army pull back.  The Lamanites followed them, passing by Gid and Teamner. 

Once the Lamanites passed by, Gid and Teamner attacked and easily took the city of Manti.  The Lamanites left few guards to watch the city.  They were easily “destroy[ed].” 

Helaman(2) began to move towards the land of Zarahemla.  The Lamanite army continued to follow Helaman(2), unaware that Manti had been taken by the Nephites.

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[1] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 16, 2012.

[2] Ibid.