Theoretically should Gordon somehow win the Battle of Fort Stedman Grant would be forced to weaken his left, protecting the South Side Railroad from further Union attacks. Important Union supply bases were behind Fort Stedman; a breakthrough here would disrupt Grant’s logistics.
From there Lee intended to retreat to Danville, where a junction with J.Johnston’s retreating troops. Achieving the junction would swell Lee’s numbers up to no more than 80,000. However, with Grant, Schofield and Sherman so close together, the Union Army would have numbered 280,000.
In addition it is a bit questionable that Lee would make it to Danville without serious losses or desertions. The Army of Northern Virginia was in a terrible state, lacking in shoes, blankets and food. The starving horses had dwindled to half the required amount to carry all of Lee’s artillery guns and supply wagons.
In reality Grant had already been warning his subordinates of a possibility that Lee would attack, and Parke (IX Corps) was already aware of the flaws of Fort Stedman’s position. When news of the offensive arrived, the Army of the Potomac rapidly rushed its reserves towards the endangered sector. After the initial attack going better than expected, Gordon’s strategem to seize the second line could not be executed. The IX Corps brigade placed in reserve behind Fort Stedman worked to contain the breakthrough and heavy enfilade fire was experienced by Gordon’s troops. The V and VI Corps troops would not be needed to support the IX Corps. There was no genuine opportunity for General Lee and Gordon to achieve their hopes in that battle.