Question
Why did the Confederates defend Petersburg so fiercely?
It was the new Confederate capital.
It was a troop center for reinforcements.
It was in a northern state.
It was a rail link to the Confederate capital.
It was the new Confederate capital.
It was a troop center for reinforcements.
It was in a northern state.
It was a rail link to the Confederate capital.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The Confederates defended Petersburg so fiercely primarily because it was a critical rail link to the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Control of Petersburg meant control over vital supply lines, which were essential for sustaining the Confederate Army and supporting their military operations. The city also had strategic significance due to its location and the ability to move troops and supplies efficiently between different parts of the Confederacy. This defensive effort ultimately played a significant role in the Siege of Petersburg during the Civil War.