 After initial skirmishes on August 25 and August 26 between Chafin's forces and the miners, UMW officials managed to defuse the tensions in the area, and convinced the miners to go home. Chafin recalled his troops and told them "You have been in defense of our rights. Logan County will never forget it." Before the miners dispersed, however, the West Virginia State Police attempted to arrest a group of their leaders, and the attempt escalated into a shootout in which several miners died. Suddenly the rebellion reignited, and it became clear that a major battle was coming.
