In February 1854, the Texas Legislature designated 12 Spanish Leagues, or 53,136 acres, of land to be maintained as Indian reservations by the federal government. In August 1854, Major Robert S. Neighbors, United States supervising Indian agent, and Captain Randolph B. Marcy of the United States Army surveyed the land in both Spanish and American measurements, and the American dimensions were platted at a total of 69,120 acres. In the 8-league tract in Young County, on either side of the Brazos River, tribes of Anadarko, Caddo, Tehuacana, Tonkawa, Waco, and others were placed, along with splinter groups of the Cherokees, Choctaws, Delawares, Shawnees, and other remnants. The Southern Comanches had their 4-league reservation about 45 miles to the west. Under the guidance of United States agents, the Indians of the Brazos River Reservation made much progress in agriculture, stock raising, and other arts of civilization, but drouth and other adversities led to the closing of the reservations. The area was emptied in 1859 when the Indians were removed to the vicinity of present Anadarko, Oklahoma; the reservation lands then reverted to the state and were opened to the pre-emption of Texas citizens in 1873.