He emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the United States Army as Sergeant Major and was appointed as Field Adjutant to General Winfield Scott. Later in New York, he met Spanish General Francisco Javier Mina who gave him a position as a Lieutenant Colonel in July 1816. He then participated in an expedition against New Spain and came ashore at the Soto la Marina sand bar on April 15, 1817. Woll was sent on to New Orleans aboard the "Congreso Mexicano" vessel to pick up and transport a body of volunteers. By the time he returned to Soto la Marina, General Mina had advanced into the interior of Mexico and the fort they had built at Soto la Marina had been captured by the Spaniards. Woll then converted the "Congreso Mexicano" into a raider. He later moved to Mexico and lived as a civilian until after the war for Mexican independence was won.