Battle of Matewan

1920 shootout in Matewan, West Virginia Battle of MatewanPart of the West Virginia coal warsDateMay 19, 1920LocationMatewan, West Virginia, United StatesResultA setback for miners' rights until the early 1930s when the Government finally recognized American labor unions. Eventual passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933Parties Matewan civilians; United Mine Workers of America Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency Lead figures Sid HatfieldMayor Cabell Testerman † Albert Felts † Number Deputy Fred Burgraff, local miners & residents 13 Baldwin–Felts detectives Casualties and losses Deaths: 3; two miners and Mayor Cabell Testerman Deaths: 7; including Baldwin–Felts detectives brothers Albert and Lee Felts The Battle of Matewan (also known as the Matewan Massacre) was a shootout in the town of Matewan in Mingo County and the Pocahontas Coalfield mining district, in southern West Virginia. It occurred on May 19, 1920 between local coal miners and their allies and the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency. The dead included the detective agency's founder's two brothers and Matewan's mayor Cabell Testerman, who supported the union. History Employed by the Stone Mountain Coal C