During his tenure as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee defeated the Army of the Potomac on many occasions: Seven Days, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Cold Harbor and arguably other engagements. But none of these victories were truly decisive, as the Federal forces were always able to withdraw and were never in danger of suffering an Cannae-scale defeat.
Did Lee ever have a chance to inflict a truly decisive defeat? If so, on what occasion?
E. Porter Alexander was of the opinion that the Battle of Glendale in June of 1862, during the Seven Days Battle, was Lee's greatest missed opportunity. General John Gordon thought Lee had a chance to smash the AotP at the Battle of the Wilderness in May of 1864, had his attack on Grant's right been allowed to go forward earlier in the day. Of course, volumes have been written about Lee's missed chances at Gettysburg.
Thoughts?