Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Muna May 1897, Smith akagamuchira komisheni yake yomutevedzeri wechipiri mubazi reVashandi. Akapiwa basa mu12th Infantry Regiment paFort Niobrara, Nebraska. Munguva yeHondo yeSpain neAmerica, Smith akashanda muCuba ne12th Infantry. Akatora rutivi muHondo yeEl Caney
uye Kurwiswa kweSantiago. Pashure pehondo, akagamuchira kukwidziridzwa kuva tenzi wokutanga nechibvumirano mukucherechedza ushingi hwake. Iye akagamuchira kukwidziridzwa kumutevedzeri wokutanga wenguva dzose muna March 1899.