The success of Grant's policy of attrition. He ended the system of prisoner-exchange, and then more-or-less waited for the Confederates to run out of manpower.
There had also been a lot of desertions from Lee's army, especially from troops who lived in Georgia and South Carolina, when they heard about Sherman's campaign of destruction in those two states.
The arrival of Phil Sheridan from the Shenandoah added a new spirit of aggression to the Union troops. It was Sheridan who stopped Lee from joining up with Joe Johnston in North Carolina. He just kept shunting him West towards nowhere in particular, until the end came at Appomattox.
The Confederate capital, Richmond was captured after the Battle of Five Forks, which forced Lee to evacuate it and Petersburg as well.
Petersburg
Why was philip sheridans victory at five forks a disaster for lees army
The Siege of Petersburg lasted from June 1864 to April 1865 and resulted in Union victory. The Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant successfully captured the city of Petersburg, Virginia, which cut off key supply lines to Richmond, the Confederate capital. This victory eventually led to the fall of Richmond and the collapse of the Confederacy.
By defending Petersburg throughout a nine-month siege.
The Confederate capital, Richmond was captured after the Battle of Five Forks, which forced Lee to evacuate it and Petersburg as well.
To join forces with General Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina. Sheridan headed him off.
Davis was an Episcopalian. He was in St. Paul's Church in Richmond, where he worshiped during the war, when a messenger brought him word that Lee was forced to evacuate the lines his Army had occupied for the last ten months, protecting Richmond and Petersburg. Davis left the service at that point and other worshipers soon spread the word through town.
Petersburg
Why was philip sheridans victory at five forks a disaster for lees army
Not really a city. It was Petersburg. But it was the last point of protection in front of Richmond, Virginia. By the time Lee surrendered, the Confederates were burning the cotton that lay in the streets of Richmond. This was what caused the city to burn down.
The Siege of Petersburg lasted from June 1864 to April 1865 and resulted in Union victory. The Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant successfully captured the city of Petersburg, Virginia, which cut off key supply lines to Richmond, the Confederate capital. This victory eventually led to the fall of Richmond and the collapse of the Confederacy.
Appomattox Court House, after the Confederates abandoned Petersburg and Richmond.
Richmond was protected by Lee's army at Petersburg, which had been besieged by Grant, knowing that the Confederates were running out of manpower. When Lee's lines had worn too thin to hold, he tried to escape from Virginia, leaving Richmond to the enemy.
In order to capture the Confederate capital city of Richmond, Grant wanted to cut the railway supply line that ran from Petersburg Virginia, north to Richmond. So far repeated Union attempts to take Richmond had failed. At least three or more Union tries at this goal were repulsed. Both Richmond & Petersburg we well fortified. Since attacking Petersburg seemed impossible with Confederate General Lee commanding the defence of both cities, Grant decided to lay siege to Petersburg in order to hope for a surrender. Almost 10 months passed before the siege succeeded. Because of the length of the siege, Lee had no choice but to withdraw from both Richmond & Petersburg. Grant cut the supply lines to Richmond. With Lee gone Grant;s forces were finally able to take Richmond. Lincoln, who had waited years to have this done, paid a visit to the captured city.
Because after the Battle of Five Forks, on Apr. 1, 1865 and the breakthrough of his front, Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia were about to be encircled. Therefore he decided that Petersburg and Richmond had to be evacuated.
By defending Petersburg throughout a nine-month siege.