This collection contains papers of James A. Iliff of Indiana, formerly a lieutenant in the 24th and 41st U. S. Infantry. The papers document Iliff's fight against what he saw as a wrongful discharge from the U. S. Army in 1871, and they appear to have been submitted to John Hanna, Iliff's representative in Congress, to enlist Hanna's assistance in Iliff's attempt to be reinstated.

Among the papers are copies of the orders discharging Iliff and other officers; documents confirming Iliff's good standing with the War and Treasury departments; character references from Fred Knefler, Indianapolis; Capt. Charles E. Clarke, 17th U. S. Infantry; and W. E. Horton, Washington, D. C. The collection also contains a lengthy letter from Iliff to President Rutherford B. Hayes, in which Iliff provides a summary of his military career, a defense of his character and service, and justification for an investigation and reinstatement.

The papers also contain three items addressed to John Hanna that seem to have no relation to Iliff's case: a letter from Treasury Department clerk James H. May, of Washington, D. C., requesting Hanna's assitance in obtaining a promotion; and two form letters from FFirst Assistant Postmaster General James H. Mann, informing Hanna that two appointed Indiana local postmasters, Watson Taylor and Jmes D. Lowe, had failed to qualify for the positions.