 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 . 
