Smith was posted in 1851 to work with the Superintending Engineer of the Punjab, in the Department of Public Works, as an Acting Assistant Overseer attached to the Mian Mir Division, eventually becoming an Assistant Overseer in 1854.[1] Smith was ordered to return to his regiment in 1856, and due to an error in the carrying out of this order Smith was mistakenly posted, at a reduced rank of Gunner, to the 3rd Company of the 4th Battalion of Bengal Artillery.[3] Smith successfully protested against the order, leading to its rescinding and Smith being sent back to the Bengal Sappers and Miners at his former rank of Sergeant.[3] Smith remained at the depot in Rurki until the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny in May 1857 when the a force from the Bengal Sappers and Miners were ordered to the immediate aid of the station at Meerut.[3] The arrival of this force at Meerut on 13 May 1857 was met with hostility, and the Meerut authorities demanded that the Bengal Sappers and Miners be disarmed, leading to the mutiny of a large number of the force (killing their commanding officer in the process) which then left to join the rebels at Delhi, leaving 45 Non-commissioned Officers and Privates, and 124 loyal Indian sappers.[2] After two weeks at Meerut, this group was ordered to join the Delhi Field Force, with Smith serving in operations through the siege.[2]