Grindlay was awarded the Medal of Honor along with David Edwards for their actions at Five Forks.

This regiment at first wore the regular dark blue New York state jacket, light blue trousers, and dark blue forage cap, but when the veterans from 5th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a famous Zouave unit, were transferred to the 146th New York, the regiment switched over to the colorful Zouave dress on 3 June 1863 at Falmouth, Va.

The zouave uniform consisted of large baggy trousers, blue in color, which were fastened at the knees; a fez cap, bright red in color, with red tassel; a long white turban which was wound around the hat, but worn only for dress parade; a red sash about ten feet long which was wound about the body and afforded a great comfort and warmth; and white cloth leggins (sic.)

[2] Its most distinctive features were a sky blue zouave jacket with yellow trimming, a red fez with a yellow tassel, sky blue zouave pantaloons, and a red sash.

The 146th New York participated in the battles of: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Wilderness Tavern, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Totopotomy Creek, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, White Oak Ridge, Five Forks, Rappahannock Station, Bristoe Station, White Oak Swamp, Popular Springs Church, Hatcher's Run, and Appomattox Court House.