My impression is that it was much worse. The Army refused to provide the Indian Home Guards with mounts, which crippled its ability to scout and protect civilians who wanted to return to their farms. So long as they were kept refugees, they had to deal with licensed Indian traders, which was the same government monopoly on selling to Indians also had the contract for selling beef to the army. What seems to have been happening is that they were keeping the civilians as refugees, stealing Indian cattle, selling it to the army, and then enjoying a monopoly in selling the food back to the Indians. Every nasty aspect of Office of Indian Affairs from before the war was exacerbated by the shortages of the war.

My impression is that refugees may have fared even worse in the camps on the Red River and in Texas...less military protection...more hostile Indians...less supplies. Does that sound right?