Which city acted as a buffer of protection for the confederate capital in 1865?
a. fredericksburg, virginia
b. mechanicsville, virginia
c. williamsburg, virginia
d. petersburg, virginia

d. petersburg, virginia

Explanation:

Petersburg was a railroad pole that supplied Richmond (the confederate Capital) with supplies. In 1865, knowing that a direct and direct attack on Richmond would be disastrous, General Grant moved his forces south, south of the James River, to attack Petersburg. The capture of Petersburg would force  Robert E. Lee (confederate leader) to leave the city to defend the Confederate capital. Rather than a direct attack, Grant preferred to surround Petersburg and slowly stagnate with a lack of supplies. Thus, trenches were dug around the city and railroads feeding the city were cut.