The Siege of Petersburg took place from June of 1864 until March of 1865. This loss was tremendous for the Confederate army, and it set the stage for the subsequent defeat at Five Forks the following month, for the surrender of Petersburg in April, and for the surrender of Richmond. These events eventually led to the Appommattox, at which point General Lee surrendered. Thus, Petersburg set into play a cascade of events that were very meaningful for the Union Army.