The Siege of Petersburg sapped Lee's strength and led directly both to the loss of the confederate capital of Richmond and to Lee's surrender at Appomattox a short time after abandoning his defensive position. Petersburg was the site of the railhead supplying Richmond, so Lee was forced to defend it or abandon his capital. The siege was a significant strategic success because whereas Grant had access to practically unlimited resupply of material and troops, Lee's position only became weaker as the battle dragged on.