The battle of Blair Mountain marked a significant armed uprising, pitting 10,000 pro-Union miners against a force of 3,000 led by Sheriff Chaffins. Despite the involvement of the US army and the use of aircraft and machine guns, the conflict resulted in a surprisingly low death toll, with estimates ranging from 16 to 50. Factors such as the miners' patriotism and the challenging terrain contributed to this outcome, showcasing the complexity of the miners' struggle against oppressive mining practices without turning against their country.