Later in his career, during the War of 1812, Henley commanded schooner Carolina during the Battle of New Orleans.

After the gallant delaying action by Lt. Thomas ap Catesby Jones at Lake Borgne, Carolina and other ships harassed the British with naval gunfire while protecting General Andrew Jackson's flank on the Mississippi River.

Though his ship was destroyed, Henley contributed importantly to the large role the small squadron played in this last great victory of the war.

Early in 1819 Henley commanded U.S. man-of war Congress to China, the first U.S. warship to visit that country.

[6] Through his youngest daughter, he was the grandfather of Caroline Luce (1857-1933), was the wife of Montgomery M. Macomb (1852–1924), a brigadier general in the United States Army.