Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Muna May 1897, Smith akagamuchira basa rake rokuva lieutenant wechipiri mubazi reInfantry. Akapiwa basa mu12th Infantry Regiment paFort Niobrara, Nebraska. Munguva yeHondo yeSpain neAmerica, Smith akashanda muCuba ne12th Infantry. Akatora rutivi mu
Hondo yeEl Caney uye Kukombwa kweSantiago. Pashure pehondo, akagamuchira kukwidziridzwa kuva tenzi wokutanga nechibvumirano mukucherechedza ushingi hwake. Iye akagamuchira kukwidziridzwa kumutevedzeri wokutanga wenguva dzose muna March 1899.