Alma 56:23

for we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear, at the same time they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire.

We knew those cities were not strong enough to fight them. We wanted to attack them from behind if they went past us. At the same time, others would fight them from the front. We thought we could beat them this way. But we were wrong.

“Those northern cities weren’t strong enough to withstand an attack. Our plan was to let the Lamanites pass, then hit them from behind while they were also attacked from the front. We thought we could overwhelm them. But things didn’t work out that way.”