The correct option is "Few children knew how to read printed material."
The care of war orphans was an important function for local organizations, as well as for the state and local government. A typical state was Iowa, where the private "Association of Iowa Soldiers' Orphanages" operated with funds from the legislature and public donations. Orphanages were created in Davenport, Glenwood and Cedar Falls. The state government financed the pensions of the widows and children of soldiers. Orphan schools were created to provide housing, care and education for the orphans of civil war soldiers. They became a matter of state pride, orphans were exhibited around demonstrations to show the power of a patriotic education.
