Fort Sumter is described as haunted by visitors who claim to see the ghost of Union soldier Daniel Hough, who died during the 100-gun salute after the fort's surrender in 1861, and who are said to smell gunpowder or see Hough's face on the fort's Union storm flag. Others also report seeing a ghostly face on the Confederate "Palmetto Guard Flag," though this is less credibly attributed to Confederate private John Bird, who lived long after the war. Many of these phenomena are attributed to natural degradation and decay of the old fabrics and the humid Charleston climate, rather than supernatural activity, according to the National Park Service's own information. The primary ghostly presence reported at Fort Sumter is that of Daniel Hough, a Union soldier killed by a premature cannon explosion during the 100-gun salute following the fort's surrender on April 14, 1861. Witnesses report smelling gunpowder and seeing a ghostly figure that salutes the flag. Two Civil War flags displayed at Fort Sumter are said to feature ghostly faces: The Union "Storm Flag": A face resembling that of Daniel Hough is believed to be visible in the blue fabric, to the right of the centermost star. The Confederate "Palmetto Guard Flag": A face is also allegedly seen on this flag, though the associated legend of it being Confederate private John Bird is considered less likely due to Bird having lived long after the war. The faces seen on the flags are likely the result of natural deterioration, including the effects of humidity and mildew, which can create humanoid shapes on the old fabric over time.