 James Eads was awarded the contracts for all four of the Milwaukee @-@ class ships . He subcontracted Kickapoo to G. B. Allen & Co. of St. Louis , Missouri who laid down the ship in 1862 . She was the first U.S. Navy ship to be named after the Indian tribe , and was launched on 12 March 1864 . Kickapoo was brought to Mound City , Illinois , on the Ohio River , for fitting out and commissioned on 8 July 1864 with Lieutenant David C. Woods in command . 
