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Historic Discovery Made at Fort Mifflin

August 28, 2006 - Philadelphia's Fort Mifflin has a long history dating back to Revolutionary Times. But the Fort also had a hidden piece of history, uncovered just days ago.

An underground historical find discovered quite by accident. Wayne Irby, Fort Mifflin's caretaker, was mowing the lawn when his leg fell into a hole. That hole lead Irby to what is believed to be a very special jail cell.

Inside the cell the name and signature of one William H. Howe was found.

In 1864 Philadelphia William Howe was front-page news. A wounded hero at the Battle of Fredricksburg he was recovering in Pennsylvania. Howe was ordered to a Washington hospital. Lee Anderson says Howe refused. Charged as a deserter, Howe killed a soldier who came to arrest him.

Despite clemency pleas Howe was hanged at the Fort. Historians were never sure where his cell was. Now they think this space with its plate, bottles and chicken bones is it.

Some say his ghost, the faceless man, still walks here.

So what now? The plan is to temporarily seal up the new find. There is concern the fresh air has affected the area which had been closed off for more than a century.

Irby and Anderson hope soon experts will re-enter these rooms and find more clues about William Howe.

An underground historical find discovered quite by accident. Wayne Irby, Fort Mifflin's caretaker, was mowing the lawn when his leg fell into a hole.	That hole lead Irby to what is believed to be a very special jail cell.
Inside the cell the name and signature of one William H. Howe was found.	In 1864 Philadelphia William Howe was front-page news. Charged as a deserter, Howe was hanged at the Fort. Historians were never sure where his cell was.
Now historians think this space with its plate, bottles and chicken bones is it.	The plan is to temporarily seal up the new find. There is concern the fresh air has affected the area which had been closed off for more than a century.