This word, in the U.S., has slowly superseded luggage. The 1852 quotation is truer now than it was when written.
1812. I shall set off as soon as I can obtain my baggage.—Jonathan Russell to James Monroe: Boston-Gazette, Nov. 23.
1832. I rapidly rolled over the descent from the Capitol to the steamboat wharf, where the concourse of hackney coaches, each pouring forth its quota of luggage and passengers, the scrambling and bickering of porters, the prodigious roar of the steam, and the universal flurry, all gave indication that no time was to be lost in getting on board by those who did not wish to sup in Washington.—E. C. Wines, ‘Two Years and a Half in the Navy,’ i. 1 (Phila.).
1837. [The passengers] were all fished out, together with their baggage.—Balt. Comml. Transcript, Sept. 1, p. 2/3.
1852. An American never uses the conversational term luggage, but always speaks of his impediments as baggage.—C. A. Bristed, ‘The Upper Ten Thousand,’ p. 81 n. (N.Y.).
1860. We were compelled, as a last resource, not being able to pull any more, to unhitch and pack the luggage on the backs of our mules to the summit, and then, returning with them, pull up the empty wagon afterwards.—T. H. Hittell, ‘Adventures of J. C. Adams,’ p. 234 (S.F.)
