True. Behind Virginia was the wealthy state of North Carolina, which sent much in the way of supplies to the front, as of course was the grain rich Shenandoah. ( I am still desperate to drive up it.) Richmond was ideally positioned to guard and watch that part of the state.
I do wonder how big and important Atlanta was before the fall of Nashville and whether it only grew in importance as a supply base as a consequence of its early fall.
Somewhere had to replace it.