On April 17, 1865, Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and Gen. Joseph Eggleston Johnston met on the Raleigh to Hillsboro Road at the home of James and Nancy Bennett to negotiate a peace settlement to end the war. Staff officers, troopers, and news reporters accompanied them. Although limited documentation makes it difficult to know who came to the Bennett Farm each day, several officers in attendance assisted the generals during the three meetings. After the initial conference, Johnston was accompanied by Secretary of War John C. Breckinridge on April 18 to help secure the most favorable terms. Gen. John Schofield served as Sherman’s second in command and remained at Raleigh during the first two meetings, but accompanied Sherman at the final meeting on April 26.