Richard Baird Smith

Richard Baird Smith (31 December 1818 – 13 December 1861) was a British engineer officer in the East India Company, who played a prominent part as Chief Engineer in the Siege of Delhi of 1857.

Baird Smith was born on 31 December 1818 in Lasswade, Midlothian, the son of Richard Smith (1794–1863), a Royal Navy surgeon now in private practice, and his wife, Margaret Young (1800–1829). He was educated at the Lasswade School and at Duns Academy.

Baird Smith proceeded to the East India Company's Military Seminary at Addiscombe, from where he obtained his commission in December 1836. He joined the Madras Engineers in 1838. Being transferred to the Bengal Engineers, he served through the second Anglo-Sikh War, and was present at the battles of Hatiiwal, Aliwal and Sobraon. He was then for some years employed on canal work, and when the Indian Mutiny broke out was in charge of Roorkee. He promptly concentrated the Europeans in the workshops, and though the native sappers deserted, his forethought prevented any loss of life.

When Delhi was invested he was appointed chief engineer in charge of the siege works. He reached Delhi on the end of July, and immediately advised General Barnard to assault the city. Barnard died while the advice was still under consideration, and his successor, General Reed, could not be induced to follow it; and when Reed in turn was succeeded by Archdale Wilson, the besiegers were so weakened by losses that the moment for a successful attack had passed.

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