The Stono Rebellion, the largest slave insurrection in British North America, began nearby on September 9, 1739, when about 20 Africans raided a store near Wallace Creek, a branch of the Stono River. Taking guns and other weapons, they killed two shopkeepers and marched south toward promised freedom in Spanish Florida, waving flags, beating drums, and shouting "Liberty!" During their 15-mile march, the rebels were joined by 40 to 50 more people. They killed at least 20 whites, but spared others. The rebellion ended late that afternoon when militia caught the rebels, killing at least 34 of them. Most who escaped were captured and executed, while any forced to join the rebels were released. The S.C. assembly soon enacted a harsh slave code that remained in force until 1865.