After a couple of full games and a few more unfinished, here is a decisive victory as the Union in Feb 1862.
In fact, it's the first time I 'beat' the CSA as opposed to 'winning' as USA. They were so demoralized, they lay down their arms.
A basic overview of the Eastern Theater and my movements
First, I moved any available units to Harpers Ferry to block CSA. Next, I quickly moved a Div to take Manassas and Fredericksburg. Once those towns were taken, moved a Div on Charlottesville and swung a Div into Petersburg as fast as possible. The Union Army created a wide flanking march on the right that allowed me to pin the CSA forces in Richmond and Winchester. After that, it was a matter of blockading Richmond to cut off their supply/retreat and move Grant and company in for the kill - all of this was done without Corps.
With the fall of Richmond and the surrender of CSA's main eastern army, we decimated the southern morale and took the day.
On a side note, took some time this game, now that I have the basics down, to find the foremost regions (at least what I can tell) for victory. Please feel free to add other important strategic areas that every player should strive to capture or hold during a game.
Nashville - If you hold it, KY is always safe.
It's compelling to focus on areas that have key cities close together, like Memphis.
I particularly like to focus attn on Jackson, MS area.
One strange thing in this game. The AI kept Thomas Jackson idle in Winchester nearly the entire game. The Union was able to hold TJ in place with a mediocre Union general and militia units in Harpers Ferry. Odd that the AI would relegate TJ to such an undignified post. There were plenty of battles in Richmond and activity in the western theater - you'd think the AI would redeploy him to a more active command.
Great game Ageod, thanks!
Seems to me the straw that broke the camels back was the AI's decission to print more paper money 
