Final answer:
The text suggests that Sullivan acknowledges generational fatherly absence, believes Sarah will be a single parent, and possibly accepts his duties to the Union over family time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inferences that can be most likely made from the text "As for my little boys—they will grow up as I have done, and never know a father’s love and care" are that (A) Sullivan realizes that a father’s absence is a generational issue that repeats in families, (C) Sullivan believes Sarah will raise their children as a single parent, and possibly (B) that Sullivan accepts that his responsibility to the Union consumes his time with his family, though this is less directly stated. These inferences are based on the historical context of fatherhood during times of war and the social norms surrounding fatherly duties, which can be juxtaposed with the portrayal of other family dynamics in different contexts, such as Frederick Douglass' narrative or the Soviet father figure. The quoted text likely refers to the impact of war on family life and suggests a heritage of absent fathers due to obligations such as military service.