Alma 53 - 55

In these chapters we learn a little bit about the character of Moroni. When Ammoron sent an epistle to Moroni desiring to exchange prisoners -

"...Moroni felt to rejoice exceedingly...for he desired the provisions which were imparted for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the support of his own people; and he also desired his own people for the strengthening of his army." (Book of Mormon Alma 54:2)

You can help but sense with these words that Moroni was humane with the Lamanite prisoners. He followed with an epistle backto Ammoron -

"...I have written unto you somewhat concerning this war which ye have waged against my people...I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of Nephi.
7 Yea, ...if ye were capable of hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.
8 But as ye have once rejected these things, and have fought against the people of the Lord, even so I may expect you will do it again...But, as the Lord liveth, our armies shall come upon you except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death, for we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will maintain our religion and the cause of our God.
(Book of Mormon Alma 54:5 - 10)

Upon receiving another epistle from Ammoron full of false accusations and truths, Moroni -

"...was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the people of Nephi.
2 And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my epistle..." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:1 - 2)

Since Moroni knew where the Nephite prisoners were being held he -

"...resolved upon a stratagem to obtain as many prisoners of the Nephites from the Lamanites as it were possible." (Book of Mormon Alma 54:3)

His strategy included sending wine by a true converted lamanit to the guards of prisoners that they would get drunk and unable to guard the prison city and -

"...this was according to the design of Moroni. And Moroni had prepared his men with weapons of war; and he went to the city Gid, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they were all armed;
17 Yea, even to their women, and all those of their children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound silence." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:16 - 17)

The nephites could have easily slain the lamanite guards but -

"...this was not the desire of Moroni; he did not delight in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction..." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:19)

"...But he had obtained his desires; for he had armed those prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the city, and had given them power to gain possession of those parts which were within the walls.
21 And then he caused the men who were with him to withdraw a pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites.
22 Now behold this was done in the night–time, so that when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were armed within." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:20 - 22)

And with that -

"...their chief captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for mercy.
24 Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites..." (Book of Mormon Alma 55:23 - 24)

And did all this without shedding blood.