Interesting post Mike. I agree that Lee lacked the "knock out punch" against Grant after The Wilderness. I believe they gave it their best shot at Cold harbor. But Grant wouldn't hold still long enough to lick his wounds. I remember reading about E.P. Alexander almost drooling at the possibilty of getting to the works surrounding Petersburg before Grant. The gun positions and protection of the line being superior to any works that could be thrown up in the field. He knew the protection they provided and their vast field of fire. But Grant was getting resupplied with men and equipment faster than any other commander of the AOP. The seige was indeed going to be "just a matter of time".