On the battlefield he was lifted by caring hands and conveyed to the field hospital. All he knew was the searing pain in his leg, the soft voices of his carers and the comforting sound of the surgeon’s words as he told him it would be alright, to close his eyes and be reassured that he would take care of him.
The surgeon looked at the wound, sighed inwardly as he gathered his instruments for another amputation, he had lost count of how many that day, so often overcome by the cries of his patients and unable to quell the pain each man felt. He knew his job, he was by now expert at severing a man’s leg, stopping the bleeding and bandaging him up for a life he himself dreaded any man should live.
What use is a one legged man he thought, how will live with the thought he can no longer do the things he once took for granted.
Contemplating this horror he picked up his saw, checked to see that he had wiped off the previous patient and concentrated on the task at hand.
Written for: http://caveofscribes.starvingactivist.com/2014/12/08/scribes-cave-picture-prompt-51/
Morpethroad 
This short account leaves such an ache in my heart. How many times is this repeated?
So true Victoria, thank you for stopping by.
The saddness of war. Well written.
Thank you Kim.
The horrors of war! I could imagine the gore within this field hospital. Nicely done! In the second paragraph you have “mans leg,” instead of man’s leg.
Thanks for the edit Glynis, I appreciate it. These were horrible places and many men lived their last moments there.
I wonder how many young man died of shock from having their leg amputated without anaesthetic? Thank God for the field surgeons and medivac we have for our troops these days. Another well written story with so few words, Michael.
Sadly I expect most did. Thanks so much Lyn for reading and your comment.
Yes — the wiping off the previous patient — very real. I read a fictional account of a Civil War surgeon earlier this year and this reminded me of it. Well done, sir!
Thank you so much. Enjoyed writing this one.